Tempe’s LGBT and Muslim communities come together in show of unity
Jun 16, 2016, 7:55 AM | Updated: 11:22 am
The city of Tempe's LGBT and Muslim communities met Wednesday at city hall to show their support for each other. (KTAR's Mike Sackley)
(KTAR's Mike Sackley)
Looking to bridge the gap after a devastating shooting in Orlando, the city of Tempe’s LGBT and Muslim communities met at city hall to show their support for each other.
Tempe’s Gay-Straight Alliance and the city’s two Islamic faith communities met for the first time Wednesday afternoon.
They discussed creating a safe environment in Tempe in the wake of an Islamic extremist opening fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando Sunday.
Rosa Inchausti, director of Tempe’s Office of Strategic Management and Diversity, organized the meeting. She said both groups are misunderstood.
“That is a concern for us,” Inchausti said. “We want to dispel some of those myths by showing that we work together and we understand one another, and I think that starts with dialogue.”
Inchausti said both groups were eager to come together and have a conversation after the Orlando shooting.
“Those type of events shatter communities,” Inchausti said. “We want to use it and embrace the opportunity to bring us together.”
Tempe city council members were also on hand for the meeting, as were members of Tempe’s police and fire departments.
