#WeAreOrlando As we try come to terms with the terrorist attack on Pulse nightclub, an attack on our very own community, right here at home in Florida, leaders from around the nation have spoken out against the hatred, violence and the senseless murder of 49 of us. As soon as the news of the attacks broke, the Hotspots team was in touch with each other just to make sure we were all ok. After 31 years in this community we have forged countless relationships with people from all walks of the LGBT community and we were petrified with fear for our loved ones, for our friends, and for the people who were just trying to have a good time on Saturday night. By day break we knew that this was bad, that Pulse had been attacked and that there were 20 dead and dozens more injured. We spoke right away with Terry DeCarlo who is the Executive Director of the GLBT Center of Central Florida who told us that “someone walked into Pulse Nightclub, opened fire, walked out of the club, then went back in, took hostages, had them in the nightclub. Police stormed the nightclub and shot the perpetrator but not before 20 of our community members were laying on the
BY: IAN MALONEY
floor and another 40 are wounded and in the hospital at this moment.” An hour later, once the scene was considered safe and under control, we, along with DeCarlo, found out that it was much worse than we even feared. There were actually 50 dead and more than 50 wounded and in hospital. We now know that there were 49 victims who were killed at Pulse, and many more are gravely wounded. One gunman entered the club with an assault style rifle, a pistol, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition and took out our brothers and sisters. The FBI labeled it terrorism from the get go because, it turns out that the killer called 911 and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. As news spread, LGBT organizations and civic leaders as well as other allies were quick to condemn these acts. Scott Holland, Associate Publisher of Hotspots said: “I am a South Florida resident, but I am in Orlando many times a year, and in the 19 years I have lived in Florida I have been to Pulse dozens of times. Orlando is part of my extended families and I feel crushed that there is such evil out there in our world. However, the pain, frustration and anger I felt for what this severely disturbed man did
to my brothers and sisters WILL NOT define who I am. I will not change my habits, except to be more aware and I will continue to love humanity and I urge everyone who reads this to do the same. #ILovePulse!” Hotspots Central Florida Editor Mike Halterman took to Facebook where he said: “I am at a total loss for words. I never once feared for my safety going to any LGBT event in my home state. The only thing I know to do right now is to stand with my community and to continue supporting our LGBT establishments free from fear. Our safe spaces are ours; let’s take that back today.” By early afternoon, President Obama addressed the nation live from the White House where he said “This is an especially heartbreaking day for all our friends -- our fellow Americans -- who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing, and to live. The place where they were attacked is more than a nightclub -- it is a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come together to raise awareness, to speak their minds, and to advocate for their civil rights.” Hillary Clinton added: “…We will keep fighting for your right to live freely, openly and without fear. Hate has absolutely no place in America.”
As evening fell across the country the LGBT community came together to mourn and stand in solidarity with the victims. US Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D, FL) addressed groups Wilton Manors and Miami Beach where she fired up the crowd stating: “horrific tragedies like this remind us that we have a moral imperative to be vigilant and we must take no progress for granted… We will win, love will win over hate.” While it remains to be seen how this tragic terrorist attack on our community will change the trajectory we take from here on out, some things are already known for sure. We will never forget, we will not go back into the closet, and we will not be silent anymore. We, as an allied LGBT community must take to the streets this pride season. We MUST return to our days as activists for the forces of evil haven’t been vanquished and they are out to kill us. WE MUST FIGHT BACK with love. I will leave you with the words of Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda who said “When senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised, not one day… We rise and fall and light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer and love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.”
#WeAreOrlando
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