XPost: soc.retirement, sac.general, talk.politics.guns   
   XPost: alt.rush-limbaugh   
   From: yard-apes@splcenter.org   
      
   He knew being a homosexual was in conflict with the laws of   
   mankind.   
      
   Philadelphia's first openly gay Deputy Sheriff committed suicide   
   at his desk from an apparent gunshot wound on Friday, just   
   before the city's weekend of pride celebrations were set to   
   begin.   
      
   Dante Austin, 27, was found dead at his desk at the Philadelphia   
   Sheriff's office. An official cause of death is awaiting   
   confirmation from the local Medical Examiner's office.   
      
   Austin was an Army veteran who also served as the department's   
   first LGBTQ community liaison and was known as a "fierce   
   advocate." He was set to be promoted to the position of sergeant   
   next month, according to CBS Philly.   
      
   Sheriff Jewell Williams reflected on Austin's service with the   
   Philadelphia Police Department, which he joined in 2013, and   
   called his death “a tragedy for the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy   
   Austin’s family and the local LGBTQ community.”   
      
   “Dante was a person who believed in and cared about everybody,”   
   Williams said.   
      
   “He had the highest score on the Deputy Sheriff’s exam when he   
   was hired in November 2013. He was our first openly gay deputy   
   sheriff and we promoted him to become our first LGBTQ community   
   liaison in May 2017.”   
      
   The Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs also issued a statement   
   in the wake of Austin's death, describing his significant impact   
   on the community in Philadelphia.   
      
   “Dante worked tirelessly, always, to lift up the most   
   marginalized among us, to secure safety and protection for the   
   most vulnerable, and to serve his community with unparalleled   
   dedication and a warmth and generosity that moved so many of   
   us," it read.   
      
   "Dante’s legacy is one of boldness, bravery, compassion, and an   
   unfailing commitment to a kinder and more just world for all. As   
   we move forward in mourning and honoring our friend and   
   colleague, may we cherish and celebrate the ways he changed us,   
   improved our city, and protected and saved lives."   
      
   The rainbow pride flag at the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office was   
   lowered to half-staff to honor his memory on Friday, and the one   
   at City Hall will do the same.   
      
   The William Way LGBT Community Center hosted an informal   
   gathering on Friday with food, drinks and peer counselors to   
   help those coping with the loss.   
      
   If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts,   
   please ask for help. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is   
   1-800-273-TALK. You can also text “talk” to 741-741.   
      
   https://www.foxnews.com/us/philadelphias-first-openly-gay-deputy-   
   sheriff-found-dead-at-his-desk-in-apparent-suicide   
       
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)