My heart hurts today for the loss of those five killed at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 13, including Christina Santiago. She was a strong GLBT advocate in Chicago, IL, as a working professional with Howard Brown Health Center’s Lesbian Care Project, who regularly attended shows at the Indiana State Fair. Santiago was killed when the stage at the Indiana State fair’s Hoosier Lottery Grandstand suddenly collapsed. Strong winds (estimated at 70 to 80mph) are believed to be the primary cause of the said catastrophe.

Christina’s partner, Alisha Brennon, remains in critical care in Indianapolis and continues to fight for her life. Please help me by sending your warmest wishes, thoughts, prayers or whatever you deem necessary to Alisha and her family, as well as the many others who continue to fight for their lives.

There are an estimated forty other concertgoers who were injured. Some with minor injuries, others with more life-altering injuries including one teenager who may never walk again after suffering a broken back.

Five amazing people were killed as a result from the stage collapse, and my heart aches for those families affected by such loss. Two of those people worked some Broadway Across America events, which I oversee in Indianapolis. I find it humbling to know how dedicated the two men [Nathan Byrd, 51; Glenn Goodrich, 51] were to their jobs and I will continue to honor them as long as I live. My only wish is that I would have known them on a more personal level.

I ask that when attending your next live event please remember these five names and hold them close to your heart:

Glenn Goodrich, 51, Indianapolis

Nathan Byrd, 51, Indianapolis

Alina Bigjohny, 23, Ft. Wayne (IN)

Tammy Vandam, 42, Wanatah (IN)

Christina Santiago, 29, Chicago (IL)

I also ask that, in Christina Santiago’s honor, you please continue to fight for GLBT rights and help spread love in our community. Keep Alisha Brennon in your thoughts, and remember to do so for those families affected by the loss of those killed and for those healing.

This tragedy is something all [approximately] 12,000 concertgoers will never be able to erase from their memories and I hold them close in my thoughts.

Terrible things like this tend to open our eyes to all we take for granted. This comes as an early reminder for myself this week after losing my mother to cancer sixteen years ago this Wednesday, August 17. I feel such grief for the families struggling with loss and will continue to hope they find necessary healing in the future, as it is a familiar feeling to bare.

With all my love,
Tim Alan Thompson

Continue to fight. Spread love. Equality matters.

In memory of Christina Santiago, Nathan Byrd, Glenn Goodrich, Alina Bigjohny and Tammy Vandam