Birmingham’s LGBT+ community leaders and members have shared their grief following the homophobic terror attack in Orlando, Florida
Birmingham’s LGBT+ community has responded with love and hope following the murder of over fifty people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday.
Omar Mateen gunned down 50 people at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nation’s worst terror attack since 9/11, authorities said.
It is believed there may be more deaths to be confirmed, as 53 were also reported to have been injured. Identified victims have been named, and can be seen here.
US-born citizen Mateen killed 50 people and wounded 53 more in the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history, before being shot dead by police following a hostage-taking a gun battle.
KILLER: 29-year-old Omar Mateen was reportedly “mentally unstable”, violent and a homophobe
The 29-year-old American shooter’s parents and ex-wife have claimed he was mentally unstable and violent, while the security company that employed him said they had vetted him twice. Mateen’s father claimed his son had deep hatred for gay people, and was intolerant of them.
His family also claimed he was non-religious, although the FBI have suggested Mateen pledged allegiance to Daesh during a 9/11 phone call he made just before the tragic incident took place. It has also come to light that FBI officers interviewed Mateen twice, back in 2013 and 2014, but he was not found to be a threat.
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Some of the victims
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VICTIM: Capo, affectionately known as ‘Omar’, was killed in the Orlando nightclub attack (Photograph: Carla807)
VICTIM: 22-year-old Juan Ramon Guerrero was reportedly at the club with his boyfriend Drew Leinonen when he was killed (Photograph: juang0628)
VICTIM: 22-year-old Vielma was a student at Seminole State College of Florida, according to his Facebook page
VICTIM: 37-year-old KJ Morris was working as a bouncer at the Pulse nightclub on the night of the shooting.
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Love conquers hate. Prayer for Orlando.
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#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/NSfXdEX4Fx
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 13, 2016
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Solidarity
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Birmingham’s LGBT+ and wider community were quick to respond to the tragedy, an act of domestic terrorism steeped in bigoted homophobia:
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Lawrence Barton | Director, Birmingham Pride
Birmingham Pride director Lawrence Barton described the Orlando attack as “terrifying and heartbreaking” (Photograph: Humans of Birmingham)
“Just a few weeks ago, The LGBT Community in Birmingham came together in a safe space to celebrate and enjoy Pride with a sense of liberation, equality and freedom. Today, over 50 of our brothers and sisters have been murdered in Orlando, it’s heartbreaking and terrifying. Together we are strong, together we are united and together we have to keep fighting! God bless all those that lost their lives.”
Birmingham Pride director Lawrence Barton called for united solidarity in the face of adversity
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LGBT+ Against Islamophobia
LGBT+ Against Islamophobia stated they will “oppose any attempt to use this atrocity to whip up hatred against Muslims”
“Our sympathy and solidarity goes out to the victims, their families and friends after the horrific attack at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando.
It is a stark reminder that despite the many gains in attitudes and legislation that have been made over the last decades, LGBT+ people continue to face threats of violence and murder.
We do not yet know anything about the attacker. The FBI have been quick to declare the incident ‘terrorist’ and whilst they claim to be pursuing ‘multiple leads’ the only organisation named for ‘possible links’ is ISIS.
We in LGBT+ Against Islamophobia will oppose any attempt to use this atrocity to whip up hatred against Muslims.
For many of us the massacre will bring back memories of the bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho in 1999, carried out by a British Neo-Nazi. We will be reminded of the dreadful shootings carried out by the self-proclaimed fascist Anders Brevik in Norway in 2011, and numerous gun-related mass killings conducted by white Christians in America.
This should be a time for us all to come together and reject homophobia and transphobia wherever it comes from.
Murderous homophobes, from any religion or none, do not represent entire communities. If we allow ourselves to be divided now we will be weakened in our fight to eradicate oppression – a fight that now more than ever needs to continue.”
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Geoff Dexter| Stand Up To Racism Birmingham
LGBT and anti-racism activist Geoff Dexter (right) stated “We must reject attempts by the right to divide us” (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
“My thoughts are with the victims friends and families following the horrific homophobic massacre in Orlando. The attacker’s motivations are not yet established but whatever they were, they do not represent Muslims. They DO however represent homophobia, which is still present in US and British society.
Homophobia can come from any section in society and its institutionalised roots have not gone in Britain or the US – it is dangerous to miss this reality. We must reject attempts by the right to divide us and misdirected blame towards our Muslim sisters and brothers. The right-wing hypocrites like Trump et al. are the ones who in yesteryear directed their hatred at us as enemy no.1.
Lets also not forget, since this will be the main focus of the press, that the existence of groups like ISIS (whose victims are mainly Muslim) come directly as a result of US and British imperialism killing millions in their wars. Yet again, more innocent people pay the price for institutionalised homophobia and imperialist war inherently rooted in the capitalist system.
Let’s mourn for the dead – uniting across our communities for Orlando in what might be latest in a bloody cycle of horror caused by war but is certainly rooted in oppression under capitalism. And fight for the living – standing not just in solidarity, but for revolution. For a world free from racism, war and oppression. Where we can be free to be who we are, love who we want and where we can see the liberation of all humanity.
Workers of the world unite – we have nothing to lose but our chains.”
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Phil Oldershaw | Presenter and events host
Phil Oldershaw has worked in Birmingham’s LGBT community for many years (Photograph: Phil Oldershaw)
“Somehow your own problems seem such a minor thing when this is going on in the world!
My love and respect goes to those that have died in the Orlando nightclub shooting, and their families and friends. R.I.P.
We must not bow down to terror… it’s the weaker way to address world problems. Love fellow man and find a way.”
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Twiggy | Cabaret Artist
Twiggy is one of Birmingham’s most well-known drag and cabaret performance artists
“Sadly, it takes something like this to bring the living, friends, families and survivors together but you know what, we’re going to make it. As we survived the pink triangle years, the early days of AIDS, the bombing of The Admiral Duncan, the deaths from homophobic attacks. Grieve, but keep strong and together.”
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John Clancy | Leader of Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council Leader John Clancy shared the hashtag #LoveIsLove (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
“My thoughts are with the victims, families & anyone affected by the horrible events in Orlando. #LoveIsLove”
Sorry been offline today. My thoughts are with the victims, families & anyone affected by the horrible events in Orlando. #LoveIsLove
— LeaderofBirmingham (@BrumLeader) June 12, 2016
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Salma Yaqoob | peace activist
Salma Yaqoob has described the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando as “an act of terror” (Photograph: BBC)
“My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando, Florida, and their families and friends.
This domestic attack was a homophobic act of terror, against a minority community still clearly under siege from violence and murder, simply for being who they are.
Homophobia is unacceptable in all its forms, and should be condemned. This tragic loss of life is a reminder that the struggle for freedom and equality for many in the US still exists.
As a Muslim – and as a former councillor in a vibrant, multicultural and diverse city – I extend my full solidarity to the LGBT+ community; and recognise their need to be treated with fairness, equality and justice as a right, not a privilege.
Fellow minority groups – especially those who have been persecuted for their beliefs and lifestyle – must stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBT+ community in this battle against hate. Responding to the marginalisation of one community by marginalising another plays into the hands of those who wish to cause divisions and disunity.
Extremists of any kind do not represent the tenets of ordinary citizens. The ideologies they peddle are ones of hatred and fear. We must rise above attempts to dismantle our strength in unity.
If there is a light we can salvage from this darkness, then let it be a united stance against hate, against homophobia, against transphobia, against racism and against Islamophobia. Let us send out a clear message: Love wins.”
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Birmingham LGBT
A Birmingham LGBT statement said the organisation “recognises the sadness and fear that many members of our community will be feeling today”
“In what has been described as the worst mass shooting in modern American history, in the early hours of Sunday morning a gunman killed 50 people and wounded 53 others in Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. This was an attack motivated by homophobic hate that will be felt by all members of the LGBT community throughout the world.
Birmingham LGBT recognises the sadness and fear that many members of our community will be feeling today. Our bars and clubs have been a place of refuge for many of us who grew up in a heteronormative and hostile world; a place where we came together to find our community.
Historically June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate our achievements, culture and shared history. It is only weeks since Birmingham Pride, when we celebrated the advances our community has made in a global struggle for human rights. What happened in Orlando stands as a stark reminder that we still have a long way to go.
As we send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family and friends of people affected in Orlando we also stand in solidarity with members of the LGBT community in America and around the world. We urge members of the LGBT community throughout the world to be vigilant, to stand together and to be proud of who they are.
At moments like this it is important that as a community we come together. This Saturday afternoon (18th) Birmingham LGBT will also be holding a vigil to honour the lives of the victims of this attack. We will meet at 1pm at the Birmingham LGBT Centre and (weather permitting) head to the Pagoda Island where Director of Birmingham LGBT Steph Keeble will speak. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome and encouraged to bring a candle with them.
Also, tonight (Monday 13th June) in the Gay Village a vigil will be held at 10pm in support, love & respect for all those people who sadly lost their lives in Orlando. The aim is for all the venues and its customers to come outside of their venues at 10pm. ”
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Andrew Stelly | journalist and presenter
Presenter Andrew Stelly feels respect is key is keeping communities together against forces of hate (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
“Waking up on Sunday to the tragic news of the shootings in Orlando really did shake me, the thought of such a special celebration being spoiled by someone so spiteful and mindless really has upset me.
My thoughts go out to the friends, families and everybody who knew those who suffered the horrific attacks. I wish all the best to those who were injured, I wish them a speedy recovery. As a heterosexual myself, it doesn’t matter who or what we believe in, as long as we are respectful, we should respect others regardless of their beliefs, it is quite clear that this was a vicious attack based on the sexuality of these innocent civilians.
Join Birmingham at 10pm this evening with Lawrence Barton and David Nash and spare a thought for those who suffered.”
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Maz Saleem | anti-racism campaigner
Maz Saleem (centre) is the daughter of the late Mohammed Saleem, who was murdered in an Islamophobic attack by a Neo-Nazi in 2013 (Photograph: Maz Saleem)
“My deepest sympathies and condolences go to all those that lost loved ones and were injured in the attacks in the Orlando – Pulse nightclub shooting. I feel very strongly about such incidents because my father was murdered by a Ukranian fascist terrorist and I am still struggling to cope with this tragic loss in my family.
“My father was a Muslim and he was murdered by the same fascist terrorist who bombed Mosques in the West Midlands and became known as “The Tipton Bomber”. Quite rightly, we do not equate all white people with this terrorist, but why are all Muslims treated as potential terrorists?
“My father and my family are Muslims and the victims of terrorism. In August, Mushin Ahmed, an 81-year-old Muslim pensioner, was murdered in Rotherham. I fear there could be more similar attacks if the approach of depicting all Muslims as terrorists continues.”
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Mariam Khan | Councillor, Birmingham Washwood Heath
Mariam Khan is a Birmingham City councillor for the Washwood Heath ward (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
“The incident in Orlando was a targeted hate crime and my thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected.
Any form of hate crime against individuals because of their background, beliefs or identity is unacceptable and, unfortunately, there are people out there who carry out these inhumane acts to fuel their own agendas.
Coming from a city which celebrates diversity, I am proud of the love we all share for one another here, and my message from Birmingham to Orlando, is that love truly does conquer hate and we should remain united in times of darkness to beat the evil in the world.”
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Richard Burden | Member of Parliament
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Birmingham Vigil
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A special peace vigil in solidarity for the victims of the Orlando shooting has been called to be held tonight – Monday 13th June – outside the Nightingale Club in Kent Street, Birmingham city centre, at 10pm tonight. All are welcome.
Birmingham’s LGBT+ community will be holding a vigil tonight, for the victims of the Orlando attack
A second vigil has been organised by Birmingham LGBT, to take place on Saturday 18th June between 1pm – 2pm. This will take place at the LGBT centre on Holloway Circus. Find out more here.
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The Library of Birmingham will also be lit up tonight, Monday 13th June, from 9pm as a mark of solidarity for the victims of the Orlando attack. Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transparency, Openess and Equality, Waseem Zaffar, shared this message earlier today:
#Brum unites in solidarity with Orlando. @LibraryofBham will be lit from 9pm. #LoveIsLove #PrayForOrlandohttps://t.co/ehSpLpkCjL
— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) June 13, 2016
The Library of Birmingham will be lit up tonight as a mark of solidarity with the victims of the Orlando massacre (Photograph: Rangzeb Hussain)
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