‘This is the world we live in’: Reactions to Orlando mass shooting that killed 49
As information trickles in about the shooting that left 49 dead and 53 injured at a popular gay nightclub during Gay Pride Week, many have taken to social media to express condolences and share theories.
There is not a lot known about the shooter or shooting that took 49 lives early on Sunday morning in one of the largest gay clubs in Orlando. However, with Orlando being the top trending tweet, it has not stopped anyone from sharing what they believe is to blame.
Initially police announced that 50 people had been killed, apparently mistakenly counting Mateen as a victim.
The facts about the Pulse shooting remain scarce, but one thing is known: Pulse was a safe space for LGBT individuals. In addition, this week marked celebrations of gay pride in the face of homophobia just a year after same sex marriages became legal in the US.
Love, courage and pride to all my LGBT brothers and sisters, and especially everyone at @pulseorlando.
— James Adomian (@JAdomian) June 12, 2016
funny how the media mentions details that the shooter wasn't from the us but forgets to mention details that the victims were lgbt+
— mol (@beanieirwins) June 12, 2016
50 happy people went to this club because there they can feel accepted and loved even lgbt community isnt safe anymore
— den (@extrasIut) June 12, 2016
Your hatred and bigotry does not, and will never, stop the LGBT community from existing and loving who they are
— jon (@prasejeebus) June 12, 2016
50 people senselessly murdered because a homophobic monster was upset to see two men kiss. This is the world we live in. #PulseNightclub
— Adam Peters (@AdamPeters) June 12, 2016
#GunControlNow is one of the top trends on Twitter as liberal minded social media users demand a change in US gun control laws.
LGBT citizens need to get one of those constitutional amendments to protect them. Seems to be working out really well for the guns.
— Felicia Day (@feliciaday) June 12, 2016
SAVE A HUMAN, LOSE YOUR GUN #GuncontrolNOW
— Eli Lieb (@elilieb) June 12, 2016
to members of the US government: your tweets of 'condolences' mean nothing without action. #GunControlNow
— hannah (@hannahdxlano) June 12, 2016
#GunControlNow? GOP wouldn't change for children. No chance they'll change for LGBTQ. Only option? #TakeBackCongresspic.twitter.com/mPuoCsZl8x
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) June 12, 2016
It was a shooting that killed 50 ppl. Tell me again how "Guns Dont Kill People" #PulseNightclub#GunControlNow
— Neko White (@Neko_white93) June 12, 2016
There's the call to ban Muslims... There's the call to ban Mexicans...
— Cyrus McQueen (@CyrusMMcQueen) June 12, 2016
Can we finally sound the call to BAN assault rifles? #Orlando
“Islamic” is also trending on Twitter, and many conservative voices have placed the blame on the suspected shooter’s religion.
As a gay man. I understand #Islam is not my friend. I will never tolerate something that wants me dead. Grab you guns gays! #PrayForOrlando
— R. D. Hutchinson (@LawlessPirate) June 12, 2016
Obama will not tell the truth about #Islam. We must. Muslims hate gays. #ORLANDO
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 12, 2016
If the shooter was a white male, the empty suit would be talking about racism and bigotry. #GunControlNow. But #Islam? Oh, the gun did it!
— NCC (@NCCollegians) June 12, 2016
It's A GOOD Thing No One At #PulseNightclub Had A Gun To Shoot Back..Someone Might Have Gotten Killed ‼️ #IslamIsTheProblem
— Leah (@LeahR77) June 12, 2016
#GunControlNow ?
— tom hardy (@estadohiramico) June 12, 2016
why not Muslim control? we have a gun control in brazil, it doesn't work it all
Others, however, have said the shooter’s religion is not an excuse for more hate.
PLEASE do not respond to #PulseNightclub shooting w/anti-Muslim bigotry. They are our brothers&sisters. Don't fight hate w/hate. #Pride2016
— (((John M. Becker))) (@freedom2marry) June 12, 2016
if you want to stop another "incident" you can implement stricter gun laws instead of using an LGBT tragedy to perpetuate your islamaphobia
— marc-hoe (@YourRadDad) June 12, 2016
#Islam doesn't foment the violence alleged gunman Omar Mateen enacted, toxic masculinity & a global culture of imperialist homophobia does
— PP Black Community (@PPBlackComm) June 12, 2016
I can't say it enough times, do not allow our media to erase that this was a homophobic act of terror and use this as rhetoric against Islam
— CVSKET RHYTHM (@edgedestroys) June 12, 2016
