- Hollywood Director Paul Feig Calls for End to LGBTQ+ Intolerance
- Friend’s Fatal Shooting Over Rainbow Pride Flag Sparks Outrage
- Community Mourns and Advocates for Tolerance in Wake of Tragedy
After his “wonderful friend” Laura Ann Carleton – known as Lauri – is shot and killed outside her clothing store in Cedar Glen, California, for displaying a rainbow Pride flag, filmmaker Paul Feig calls for the “intolerance” of the LGBTQ+ community “to end.”
Hollywood director Paul Feig mourns the shooting of a friend over a rainbow Pride sign outside her store.
After the Cedar Glen, California shooting on Friday, Bridesmaids’ director said LGBTQ+ “intolerance” “must end.”
Following shooting allegations, Mag Pi apparel business owner Laura Ann Carleton, 66, was found with a gunshot wound.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, before shooting Carleton, the suspect made denigrating remarks about a rainbow flag that was displayed outside the store.
Authorities said the 27-year-old man who ran with a shotgun was fatally shot after a struggle with authorities.
In a tribute post, Feig, who also created the comedy Freaks And Geeks, wrote, “Our lovely friend Lauri Carlton (seen in this photo) was murdered yesterday in her store @magpi_shop in Lake Arrowhead by a 27-year-old man who was upset that she had a large pride flag hanging outside her store.
“When she confronted him about tearing it down, he shot and killed her.”
He described himself as “devastated” for Bort and his family, adding, “This intolerance must end.”
“If you use abusive rhetoric towards the LGBTQ+ community, know that it might provoke violence against innocent, caring people”.
Let’s all continue to advance with tolerance and compassion. Please do not allow Lauri’s tragic demise to be in vain.
Jill Kargman, an author and actress, wrote that she was “furious” and “enraged” by what she called a “senseless murder,” adding, “What a tragedy of our times- the hatred and the guns.”
Ms. Carleton, also known as Lauri, did not identify as LGBTQ+. But “spent her time helping and advocating for everyone in the community,” per the Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ group’s Instagram tribute.
“Each store should fly a flag to honor valiant wives and mothers.”
Actor Timothy Omundson wrote, “Unfathomable that love and support for a marginalised population would lead to radicalised hatred and violence.”
To honor this courageous wife and mother, every business in Arrowhead Village should fly a pride flag.
Her daughters are heartbroken.
Bridget Everett, 51, a comedian and actress, also eulogized her friend, writing, “In the past, when someone tore down or vandalized her flag, she would replace it”.
Strangely enough, the last time I saw Lauri was at the Lake Arrowhead pride parade and celebration.
“Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric comes at a cost. And now, Bort, Lauri’s spouse, her daughters, friends, and the community are devastated. And to what end?”
According to her clothing store’s website, Ms. Carleton had been married to her spouse for 28 years and was the mother of nine children, the youngest of whom were identical twin girls.
Her biography states that she worked in fashion as an adolescent before attending Art Centre College of Design.
The website of a globetrotter who had traveled to the United States, Europe, and South America states that her inspiration for opening her shop was “tackling everyday life with grace and ease while continuing to dream.”
