#GaysBreakTheInternet love bombs homophobic reaction to #Pulse massacre in Orlando
Twitter has become a group therapy session for thousands of users through the hashtag #GaysBreakTheInternet, a collective response to "homophobes" and their ugly comments about America’s deadliest mass shooting ever by a lone gunman, carried out at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida Saturday night.
"This was an act of terror and act of hate." —@POTUS on the tragic shooting in #Orlandohttps://t.co/i7fOS38GzH
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 12, 2016
This man seems to have been unable even to take a proper selfie, yet a modern gun allows him to kill 50. #Orlandopic.twitter.com/7mbVO2tfGS
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) June 12, 2016
The Queen: "Prince Philip & I have been shocked by the events in Orlando. Our thoughts & prayers are with all those who have been affected"
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 12, 2016
Deeply saddened by the loss of so many innocent lives in #OrlandoShooting We join families in their grief.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) June 12, 2016
Our hearts are with everyone in #Orlando today. #LoveIsLove
— PETA (@peta) June 12, 2016
At least 49 people were killed and 53 injured when Omar Mateen allegedly entered and opened fire in Pulse, a club that describes itself online as “Orlando's Premier Gay Nightclub.” Initially police announced that 50 people had been killed, apparently mistakenly counting Mateen as a victim.
As several comments on this story point out, the Orlando shooting is the deadliest gun massacre in the US since Wounded Knee in 1890, when more than 150 men, women, and children, mostly Lakota Sioux, were shot and killed. The US military claimed responsibility for that attack and later handed out Medals of Honor to those soldiers who committed the mass atrocity.
The world's deadliest lone gunman to carry out a mass shooting is still right-wing European Anders Breivik, who murdered 77 people in Norway nearly five years ago. He is now held in a prison with access to Playstation 2 video games.
All Americans are horrified, disgusted and saddened by the horrific atrocity in Orlando. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/ci5kxXKSyZ
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 12, 2016
Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 12, 2016
Horrific incident in FL. Praying for all the victims & their families. When will this stop? When will we get tough, smart & vigilant?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016
The fact that over 208 people have to die to get a message across... #USAGunLaws#DoSomething#OrlandoShootinghttps://t.co/3eBoj6q4gH
— Mitch Clarke (@24mitchclarke) June 12, 2016
Solidarity messages from around the globe filled social media feeds, but as the day went on, many were disturbed by the mainstream media’s focus on Islamic terrorism rather than homophobia and hate crimes.
@NPR It was an act of homophobia....call it what you want!!! #tellthetruth
— John S Augustine (@paymenow2) June 12, 2016
Shooter's own father states that his son was homophobic. Shooting has nothing to do with Islam. https://t.co/EaPdbeCPbT
— lotus (@rosemilkchai) June 12, 2016
omg the fact the media over here haven't ONCE mentioned it was a gay club or talked about the LGBT+ community and straight away started
— joe (@alyandajstan) June 12, 2016
mainstream media loves to forget that it was a GAY club under attack during PRIDE month. of course it's a hate crime how stupid can u be.
— nicolas mccoppin (@nicolasmccoppin) June 12, 2016
Others cautioned the potential for LGBT supporters to become anti-Muslim.
PLEASE don't be the person who tries to rally LGBT folks against Muslims bc of the #pulse shooting. Don't pretend you suddenly care about us
— Mari Brighe (@ PTHC) (@MariBrighe) June 12, 2016
I'm gay and Muslim. I want to tell the Muslim community the Islamophobia being spewed now doesn't reflect my values as a gay man. #Orlando
— Shawn Ahmed (@uncultured) June 12, 2016
Those fanning flames of Islamophobia consider this: Largest Muslim org in US is asking 4blood donations for Orlando: https://t.co/dpiFzbOWxr
— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) June 12, 2016
Don't let Islamophobes weaponise our identities to fuel their agenda. Don't allow Islamophobia to exclude our Muslim LGBT+ siblings #Orlando
— Josh (@J_Manasa) June 12, 2016
While conservative Christians who usually demonize homosexuals were left conflicted about how to react.
@chipotledoww@lostboyoakIey Yea Fags are disgusting. its terrible what happened to them in Orlando tho.
— Lit Pino (@Lit_Pinochet) June 12, 2016
Faggots getting shot is perfectly right and good. God be praised for #OrlandoShooting.
— Cavalier (@SaltyOFP) June 12, 2016
Praying for Orlando night club shooting victims & their families this morning. The depravity of man is again revealed in terror & violence.
— IL Family Institute (@ProFamilyIFI) June 12, 2016
How is what happened in Orlando terrorism? They killed fagots, their helping us out. Fags are a plague on this nation
— ©nyphonejacks.com (@nyphonejacks) June 12, 2016
According to Amaq News, a Syrian news agency with close ties to the Islamic State, the group has taken responsibility for the attack.
BREAKING: #ISIS claims responsibility for #Orlando shooting – IS-linked news agency https://t.co/QqdGHmxO3rpic.twitter.com/JDNIW7UUUs
— RT America (@RT_America) June 12, 2016
Reaction to the shooting has mainly been of concern and sympathy, particularly from the LGBT community which celebrates pride this month in cities across the globe.
Solidarity with the #LGBT community. Heartbroken. #Pulse
— Suzanne Trimel (@STrimel) June 12, 2016
You don't need to be LGBT to support the LGBT community thoughts with those affected by #OrlandoShootingpic.twitter.com/shB4xadquP
— Fireyfairy (@MrsFireyFairy) June 12, 2016
Prayers for the #LGBT community of Orlando. May radical love be the response to this act of terror. 💚❤️💛💙 #OrlandoShooting
— Matt McDonald (@Matt_McDonald_) June 12, 2016
The notorious Westboro Baptist Church announced they would picket Pulse nightclub in the wake of attacks, tweeting that “GOD SENT THE SHOOTER.”
God hates fags.
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) June 12, 2016
God sent the shooter.
God hates murderer Omar Mateen.
Omar Mateen & slain fags are in hell.
REPENT! pic.twitter.com/XwkX7jGYpp
However, after the shooter’s identity and alleged motive were announced, Westboro Baptist Church compared Mateen to being “as disobedient to God as proud sodomites.”
Orlando #Pulse nightclub shooter is as disobedient to God as proud sodomites. All wrong! pic.twitter.com/sQ3WhaLbfW@stephmsolis
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) June 12, 2016
Other Twitter users, mostly behind anonymous accounts, praised the actions of the shooter and asked for more killings of gay people.
Hear sum pathetic fags were shot in Orlando fag club.Should have more of these until they go back in the bottom of closet where they belong
— gayzneva= (@gayzneva) June 12, 2016
@realJordanFash@KarlRadl Those Orlando fags are in hell. Soon you will be too. Praise God for his righteous judgements in this Earth.
— Axel Saggenstråhle (@saggenstrahle2) June 12, 2016
Don't #PrayForChristina or #PrayForOrlando, fags deserve to die! Thank you once again God for teaching these fag & black people a lesson!
— Shirley (@DearShirley) June 12, 2016
A handful of those who are both anti-gay and anti-Muslim seized on this opportunity to advance their own agendas, even though they consider the victims to be sinners.
.@RealBenCarson Reacts to #Pulse Shooting: Time to Ditch Political Correctness and Get Serious About Terrorism https://t.co/3aR6GigW7F
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 12, 2016
This Muslim maniac intentionally targeted a gay club. Islam hates #LGBT. Muslims hate gays. If you are gay, Islam wants you dead. #Orlando
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 12, 2016
Cant read #Pulse w/o a Conservative using it to attack Islam. Shouldnt you be in your LGBT hating church right now? Leave us humans to mourn
— Benjamin Dixon (@TheBpDShow) June 12, 2016
y'all have no idea how many homophobes and islamophobes are in my mentions rn saying being gay is wrong & muslims are to blame for this woww
— xena (@httpmattel) June 12, 2016
