Let me start by saying that I am deeply saddened, confused and sickened by the recent event that is now considered the deadliest mass shooting in our country's history. If you haven't heard about it yet, you can read all about the tragedy here.
Let me also say that it is way past time to do something about the gun problem and LGBT+ oppression problem that we, as a country, face.
The shooter targeted a gay nightclub – an area in which he knew mostly-LGBT+ community members would be enjoying their leisure time. The shooter targeted the LGBT+ community. This was an act of homophobic terrorism.
Because of the terrorist attack on Orlando citizens, I have seen an abundance of tweets, Facebook statuses, and Instagram photos intended to reach out to the victims and families of the attack, saying that they are in our thoughts and prayers, we stand in solidarity with them, and we will never forget this tragic day.
However, I have also seen a myriad of tweets, Facebook statuses, and Instagram photos with what is most likely the most contradictory message I have heard in a while: "I am saddened by the shooting, but I will never support the LGBT+ community."
This sentence is problematic for two reasons, other than its inherent homophobic message:
1. It was unnecessary to add the part about not supporting the LBGT+ community.
I don't care. If you came to my post about the shooting simply to tell me that you don't support the community, I literally do not give a flying flip about your opinion. I don't care that you don't support the community. That was not what my post was about. My post was about ways to send much-needed aid to the victims and their families. Don't come to my status and tell me that you are anti-gay. No one cares about your hatefulness right now. Right now, this is about preventing as many innocent LGBT+ deaths as possible. You are literally just using the death of innocent people as a platform to promote your hatred. Nobody asked you what your opinion on gay individuals was. You just threw it out there just to make sure that everyone and their mother knows that you're a hatemonger.
2. Congratulations; you played yourself.
You just proved how heartless you are. If you just heard the story about how approximately 50 people were just brutally slaughtered, and all you can say about it is that they were going to Hell because of who they love, you are simply rude and uncaring. That's the equivalent of walking up to someone at a funeral and saying, "Wow, I'm so sorry that your sister just died... But, you know, she had sex before marriage so she's going to Hell and her very existence really goes against my lifestyle... Still super sorry to hear about her tragic murder, though!" It is impossible to show your sympathy for the victims while simultaneously shaming their entire existence. If you are using this horrendous event as a means to broadcast your disdain for the LGBT+ community instead of
spreading awareness that members of the group are becoming more and more oppressed as each day goes by, I do not like you.
Rant over. I'm going to sleep. Don't wake me up if you're going to argue with me.
***Important note below!!!***
You can donate to the victims and their families right here.
