On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen killed at least 49 people and wounded 53 more at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. The 29-year-old shooter was then killed by law enforcement after a three hour siege, according to NBC.
This has been documented as the worst mass shooting in United States history.
President Obama called the shooting “an act of terror and hate.” This hate crime resulted in the lives of more than 49 LGBT individuals.
Before I go on, I have to add a disclaimer. This piece is not about religion. This piece has nothing to do with the fact that Omar Mateen was raised in a Muslim household or that he had pledged allegiance to ISIS. This piece has to do with the issues our society has with the LGBT community as well as our country’s far too lax gun laws. This is not about Islamophobia.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I’m the last person to say, “You can’t think that way because I think this way.” Just because I support LGBT doesn’t mean you have to, I get that. But on the other hand, everyone needs to see just how screwed up this situation is. 49 people are dead and 53 more are in hospitals having countless surgeries and treatments for gun wounds. Obviously there’s something wrong here.
Mateen bought the two guns he used at Pulse night club earlier that week.
The constitution states that we have the right to bear arms. I support this right to an extent, and that extent is June 12th.
On Saturday, June 11th, YouTuber Christina Grimmie was shot and killed at her concert by a guy just strolling near by. Bystanders said Christina opened her arms for a hug when the shooter fired. Her brother, a true hero, tackled the man before he could hurt anyone else.
Why are people allowed to walk around with massive weapons and destroy lives at their leisure?
No one deserves these tragedies. Christina Grimmie’s parents and family don’t deserve it, and the dozens of families and friends of those murdered and harmed at Pulse don’t either.
Tell me how many more people have to be killed before something changes.
This act of hate should be a wake up call for America. The deaths of Christina Grimmie as well as those at Pulse should not be taken lightly. This is a call for action. Here is a link to contact your representative to make change happen now.
Something has to be done. We can’t live like this anymore. As a member of the LGBT community (and damn proud of it), I shouldn’t have to be afraid to be myself and live authentically in my country. As a human I shouldn’t have to be afraid to live in my country. Yes, this tragedy occurred in Florida and I live in Maryland, but how many tragedies have to happen before it hits my town? Or yours?
How many more times do we have to say “enough is enough” and “never forget” or “never again” for it to be true? When will enough be enough? When will this never happen again? Not until something changes. I am in no way, shape or form trying to “take your guns away.” I’m trying to make sure that responsible gun owners are the only gun owners.
Omar Mateen was a sick man who fell victim to homophobia and hatred. He was able to stroll into a store and leave with two AR-15s. Weapons that, in mass shootings, have taken the lives of countless children, school faculty and so many other innocent people.
The victims of the Orlando shooting are people. Christina Grimmie was a person. If you don’t stand with the LGBT community, support YouTubers or even if you support guns and want there to be no restrictions, you have to realize that these were people. Real, actual people with lives and families and pets and cars and favorite foods just like you.
This is a story of gun violence. This is a story of hatred. This is a story about real people whose lives were stolen before their time.
When are we going to open our eyes and make a change?
Here's how to help those who fell victim to the shooting.
