Today I’m struggling to find the words to come to terms with what has happened in Orlando. Fifty people have been slaughtered solely for being who they are. Every terrorist attack is both an outrage and a multitude of personal tragedies but for all LGBTQ people this attack at the heart of our community is particularly terrifying.
Throughout our history as a community LGBTQ people have faced violence and terror but there was a prevailing attitude that to be LGBTQ in Western Europe or North America was becoming safer, more accepted. This horrendous attack is a reminder that for some people, even in the West, our very existence is intolerable. For me, and many others, in the LGBTQ community gay bars were the first place we felt we could truly be ourselves without restricting ourselves by society’s expectations. This was where we felt at home, this was where we felt safe. This is why this attack is so personal for many in our communities.
We will see many calls over the coming days for this attack not to be politicised, the homophobic motivation of these attacks may not be discussed. This is wrong. As liberals and humanitarians we must stand up and call this attack what it is, a hate crime. We must use this attack as an impetus to stand up to racism, sexism and homophobia because today’s horror reminds us just how far we have to go before we have the truly egalitarian society we strive for.
* Euan Davidson is Councillor for Corstorphine/Murrayfield in Edinburgh. He is the former PPC for Aberdeen North and East Lothian and a previous President of the Scottish Young Liberals.
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11 Comments
@ Euan,
President Obama has already described it as an act of terror and hate. I doubt many people except those so eaten up with hatred that they are blinded to it, will think otherwise.
Continue to visit gay bars, continue to live your life unhindered by the bigoted minority. Your happiness and fulfilment as a person, are the best response to them.
You are so right, Euan.
All of us need to think today and every day about what we will do personally to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
I’m assuming that you’ve not heard the news yet? IS are claiming responsibility.
IS has claimed the action. They wish to destroy the Western way of life. This could help fuel the fear factor. Could lead to a Trump presidency with all that might entail. We must not buckle under IS tactics.
We need to have a think about the victims and their loved ones. Then consider political and social responses.
More security measures need to be considered, but we shouldn’t introduce them just for the sake of it.
We shouldnt resort to patronising stereotypes about gay people either and just tell them to “respond with love”.
There will also be more calls of “don’t give into fear”, but if we never give into fear then we end up dead. That’s not to say we should become anti-Islam, but some security measures are fair.
@ Eddie Sammon,
Eddie, there is nothing patronising about telling gay people to ‘respond with love’. It is advice that should be given to anyone whatever their sexuality. The best revenge against those who hate us, is to be happy.
Many from my generation learnt that one should not let hateful comments pass unchallenged. This is something positive that we can all do as individuals. It is a more lasting memorial to those who have lost their lives than impotent rage or sorrow.
“We need to have a think about the victims and their loved ones. Then consider political and social responses”
Eddie, you are absolutely right, however these are not normal times and the potential impact on the EU Referendum is huge. Whilst such news is heartbreaking, politicians from the EU (including the UK obviously) are not going to have time to reflect on this, they will be considering political responses now.
Jane, I agree it isn’t, but I think I’ve heard stereotypes in some of the coverage of the attacks about gay people being extra loving, bi people receive this kind of stereotyping a lot.
Thanks chris_sh
Trump is not a supporter of the western way of life, and we need to make that clear. Trump and the far right are only against this attack because the perpetrator is a Muslim. They would support it (or make excuses for it) if it were a Christian fundamentalist gunman. Actually some do even when it is a Muslim. We need to make it clear that the only way to oppose extremism is to oppose it in all its varieties. If you support extremism in any variety, then you support it in all its varieties.
@ Alex Macfie,
‘The only way to oppose extremism is to oppose it in all its varieties’.
I agree.
It seems that a man with weapons was apprehended in a vehicle close to the Gay Pride March in LA. The details are still emerging.
A hate crime is a hate crime no matter who the perpetrator may be or what justification they offer. It seems clear that the horrific nightclub massacre of innocents enjoying a night out, was a homophobic hate crime. It may be that the LA one also proves to be one too.
My thoughts, like those of many, are with the gay community and the relatives who have lost loving sons, brothers, husbands, partners, wider family members or friends. But sympathy is not enough.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Our lives must continue to support all people to live their lives their way without fear or persecution. Be vigilant and be intolerant of intolerance.
David