What 14 LGBTQ influencers want the community to know after Orlando
The attack in Orlando on Sunday, the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history that left 49 dead and 53 wounded, has the country fielding feelings of confusion, fear and deep sadness.
But the LGBTQ community, undoubtedly targeted in the attack on a queer nightclub, is experiencing the brunt of the trauma -- especially Latinx members of the community, because the club was attacked on Latin Night. As LGBTQ people try to find resilience in grief, we need to come together in support and solidarity.
We asked 14 LGBTQ activists and influencers what they wanted the queer community to know in this time of trauma -- and as we move forward. Here's what they had to say.
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Bamby Salcedo, founder of TransLatin@ Coalition and transgender activist
"We are living in much pain, sorrow, sadness and rage. But we as a community need to find an opportunity to heal, to love each other and to protect each other.
"We are a strong and resilient community -- and we are going to rise up and become stronger. We need to use our power to heal and our minds to organize, so that we all together can eradicate the violence that our communities continue to experience.”
Shane Ortega, activist and first openly trans soldier in the U.S. Military
"What happened in Orlando is an example of the worst of human experience. It is the violence of war in a place where we come to feel connection and euphoria with other people who are marginalized.
"We must do better for our humanity."
"The attack hurts my very soul, but it also emboldens me to not relinquish the power that I -- and we -- have in our resilience. We as a community and global society must decide and take accountability of what we want the experiences of humanity to be. We have to be bigger than hate. We have to chose to love and make peace.
"Nothing can erase this tragic loss, and nothing should diminish its importance. But we must take action in love. We must do better for our humanity."
Jack Qu'emi, Afrx-Boricua activist and writer
"First of all, specifically to my queer, trans, gender-nonconforming, brown, black, Latinx, Boricua -- and all of the above -- family: te quiero mi gente. We're hurting. We're crying. We're feeling isolated and terrified. But we're going to persevere. I want you to remember that we are family, and that there is strength in our hurt.
"Whether you heal by reaching out or by taking time to be alone, I want you to know that I am here. I am present. I am not hiding. And I have so much love for every single one of you."
Jorge Gutierrez, undocumented queer activist and founder of Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement
"I want our LGBTQ Latinx community to know that in this time of deep pain, they are not alone. We see them and we love them.
"We must say that more than half of the victims were Puerto Rican, and Mexican and Salvadoran."
"This moment is calling for compassion, understanding and unity. But we also know that we must continue to organize to end all the violent systems that continues to kill, incarcerate and deport our people and our families.
"We will not allow for the media and political figures to exploit our pain to grow their Islamophobic agenda. And, we will not allow the mainstream media to erase the voices of the LGBTQ Latinx community. We must say that more than half of the victims were Puerto Rican and Mexican and Salvadoran. Our voices and community need to be lifted and centered."
Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca, Afro-Latino activist, educator and founder of The Gran Varones Project
"The Gran Varones Project was created to build and solidify community among Latino queer men through storytelling. This is essential as our healing mechanism -- sharing our sadness, our rage, our joy and our existence with each other."
"After Orlando, our commitment is even stronger because we know that healing is found in the words we speak, hear and feel."
Alex Sanchez, author of Rainbow Boys
"As a result of the horrific violence, a tremendous amount of sympathy and compassion is being directed toward the LGBT community.
"Let's build on that -- especially with those who have traditionally expressed disapproval toward us."
Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD president and CEO
"Though we are devastated, we are not defeated. Rather, we are more determined than ever to create a world in which everyone can live the life they love, free of anti-LGBT discrimination and violence.
"Acceptance must prevail."
Michael Willett, actor in MTV’s Faking It and the film G.B.F.
"I've learned from LGBTQ history that hate and fear must never prevent us from showing compassion and moving forward. It's my goal to keep that legacy alive.
"I invite everyone to join me."
Raquel Willis, activist and writer
"The Orlando tragedy is nothing new in terms of queer struggle. We have always been targeted for who we love, how we love and loving ourselves.
"We have always been targeted for who we love, how we love and loving ourselves."
"It’s important that after we heal emotionally and come to terms with what has happened, we come back to the work of liberation fiercer and stronger than ever.
"We have to use our sadness, pain and anger to be louder than ever. We have to more boldly demand respect and protection. We have to all come together and remember that a few laws and a few political speeches will never be enough. We have to do the work of elevating our youth, our trans folks, our people of color -- everyone."
Hannah Hart, YouTube personality and author
"This time of trauma affects us all, LGBTQ or otherwise. We must band together to build a future that our children will be safe in.
"We are paving the way for future generations to freely express themselves: say what they believe, do what is right and love who they love."
Melissa Fabello, managing editor of Everyday Feminism and sexuality scholar
“I want queer folks who are polysexual (people who are attracted to more than one gender, including bisexual, pansexual and omnisexual folks) -- and especially those who are currently in relationships that look 'straight' from the outside -- to remember that we have every right to grieve.
"I want fellow white queer folks to remember to make extra space for Latinx siblings in healing."
"Not all spaces are for all people; that will always be true. But don't let other people's biphobia push you out of conversations about your own experience of pain right now. As a community, we need to be there for one another -- and that includes all of us.
"I want fellow white queer folks to remember to make extra space for Latinx siblings in healing. As queer people, we feel pain right now -- and that's completely valid. But intersections of identity matter, and it was specifically queer Latinx people who were targeted this weekend.
"Check in on your friends at this intersection. Don't lean on these folks for emotional labor. Talk to fellow white queer people about racism in our communities. Donate to organizations that specialize in uplifting queer and trans people of color. Own up to the privileges that we hold, even in this time of pain.”
Kat Blaque, vlogger and writer
“Yes, it is scary. But we need to not let it stop us from living our lives or stop us from doing things that we want to do.
"If you need to cry, cry. Get it all out. But realize tomorrow is another day.”
"The shooter wanted to threaten these places, and discourage those who express their love or express their identities. I don't think that’s what we should walk away with.
"If anything, we should become more visible, more happy and more comfortable. You not celebrating your identity would be seen as a win for people who don’t want you to be who you are. If anything, you have to push forward.
"But if you're upset, be upset. If you need to cry, cry. Get it all out. But realize tomorrow is another day.”
Davey Wavey, YouTube personality
"A lot of us are scared, and we all need to find a balance of safety in our lives. After this violence, you can't help but think of the lesbian couple that is now afraid to walk down the street holding hands, or the queer kid that was really excited to go to their first Pride but now isn't sure they want to go.
"It is scary, and it shouldn't take an act of courage to express who you are. But it does, and there is still risk involved. But letting fear -- or someone else's narrow reality -- dictate your expression of truth isn't living at all.
Jay Brown, director of communications at the Human Rights Campaign
"To every LGBTQ person in this country and around the world, I say this: Be loved. Be bold. Be proud. And do not be afraid.
"Time and time again, our community has proven that we are stronger than fear and that love always conquers hate. We will do so again as we continue our march toward justice and equality for all."
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Topics LGBTQ Social Good
Katie Dupere was a Social Good reporter at Mashable from May 2015 to July 2017, covering activism, identities and social impact. Prior to her work with Mashable, Katie penned pieces about queerness, body positivity, sex and relationships for Gurl. She also previously contributed LGBTQ news coverage to PinkNews.
