Store Owner Fatally Shot Over LGBTQ+ Pride Flag

What’s the story?

• Last week, store owner Laura Ann Carleton was fatally shot by a man for having a Pride flag in her shop in California.
• The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as 27-year-old Travis Ikeguchi, who ran off after the shooting and was later killed by law enforcement. The department said he “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store.”
• Carleton, known as Lauri, is survived by her husband and nine children. Her store, Mag.Pi, is listed as a “business ally” by community group Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+.

The response 

• Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ wrote on Facebook:

“Lauri did not identify as LGBTQ+, but spent her time helping & advocating for everyone in the community. She will truly be missed.”

• Ari Carleton, her daughter, said:

“I just want the world to remember her for who she was. And that she passed away in a place that she cherished, doing what she loved and defending something that was so important to her.”

• Ari added that the Pride flag outside Mag.Pi had been removed by different people numerous times since the store opened, and her mom continued to put it back up. 
• Hollywood director and friend of Carleton, Paul Feig, paid tribute to the storeowner on Instagram, writing:

“We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally…[T]his intolerance has to end. Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realize their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people.”

Violence against the LGBTQ+ community

• State governments have advanced a record number of bills attacking LGBTQ+ rights — especially trans youth. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is tracking nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the U.S.
• The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) declared an official state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people, warning of an unprecedented spike in hate crimes and legislative attacks. Kelley Robinson, HRC President, said:

“LGBTQ+ Americans are living in a state of emergency. The multiplying threats facing millions in our community are not just perceived — they’re real, tangible and dangerous. In many cases they are resulting in violence against LGBTQ+ people, forcing families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states, and triggering a tidal wave of increased homophobia and transphobia…”

Do you want to see more action taken to protect LGBTQ+ rights in America? Contact your reps

-Jamie Epstein