Hoping and praying that Muslims (and those racialized as such) around the world don’t face any retribution in the aftermath of the Orlando tragedy during this holy month of Ramadan
This is now officially, with over 50 casualties, the worst mass shooting in United States history. And the fact that it took place at a gay club was not merely coincidence. This was not just another act of senseless violence in America. This was a hate crime.
A man walked into a safe space for the LGBT community with an assault rifle and lined them up and slaughtered them.
Don’t do what the media is inevitably going to do. Don’t erase where this happened and who this happened to.
When you make your statements for/against gun control, remember this was a hate crime. When you make your statements about the gunman’s reported religious beliefs, remember this was a hate crime. When your politicians make empty promises about changing the way things are, remember this was a hate crime. When you make your statements about the media’s coverage of this, remind everyone this was hate crime.
Do not gloss over the identities of the victims. They were killed for them. This was a hate crime.
Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, where 50 people were fatally shot early Sunday, is more than “just another gay bar.”
Barbara Poma, along with her friend Ron Legler, opened the bar in 2004 to keep the spirit of her brother alive after he died from AIDS in 1991. Since then, Pulse has been promoting awareness about the LGBTQ community in the area.
“Being raised in a strict Italian family, being gay was frowned upon. However, when John came out to his family and friends, the family dynamic transitioned from a culture of strict tradition to one of acceptance and love,” Pulse’s website says.
“It was important to create an atmosphere that embraced the gay lifestyle with décor that would make John proud. Most importantly, (we) coined the name Pulse for John’s heartbeat — as a club that is John’s inspiration, where he is kept alive in the eyes of his friends and family.”
O+ and O- blood donors needed ASAP!!! Due to the shooting overnight, the hospital and blood bank is critically low right now for donated blood. If you are able, please go this morning to donate at one of the locations below. This valuable gift you can give is a direct way to help those injured from this tragic incident. The Orange, Osceola, and Seminole locations open today are:
Orlando - West Michigan Donor Center
345 West Michigan St #106
Orlando, FL 32806
Phone: 407-835-5500
Fax: (407) 835-5505
Sun: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Orlando - Main Donor Center
8669 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 248-5009
Fax: (407) 455-7570
Sun: 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Apopka Donor Center
131 North Park Ave
Apopka, FL 32703
Phone: (407) 884-7471
Fax: (407) 884-7475
Sun: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Kissimmee Donor Center
1029 North John Young Pkwy
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 847-5747
Fax: (407) 847-9605
Sun: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Oviedo Donor Center
1954 West 426 #1100
Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: (407) 588-1291
Fax: (407) 365-9982
Sun: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Lake Mary Donor Center
105 Waymont Ct #101
Lake Mary , FL 32746
Phone: (407) 322-0822
Fax: (407) 328- 1119
Sun: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Let’s keep the Islamophobia in check. Non-Muslims are the greatest threat. Muslims were involved in .57%, that’s half of one percent, of mass shootings.
This is about access to assault weapons and homophobia, both pillars of Right Wing populism.
His son saw two men kissing a few months ago in Orlando and it made him angry. This was homophobia. This was a hate crime. Do not pretend that it was anything different.
