On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen entered Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida and killed 49 Americans. In addition, he wounded 53 more. Pulse Nightclub was a club specifically for the LGBTQ community, where many felt safe and comfortable in their own skin. The club was a place for happiness, fun, acceptance and meeting new people.
Unfortunately on this night, Mateen felt the need to act on hate for the LGBTQ community and it shook the whole country. Omar Mateen has been proven to be affiliated with ISIS organizations. In addition, this was the largest mass killing of Americans by a single shooter and the biggest shooting/hate crime against the LGBTQ community, ever.
"Not only has this terrible event driven me to increase awareness of terrorist affiliations, criminal behavior and recognition of hate crimes, it has driven me to open up possibilities for LGBTQ communities. I want to tell you that you are LOVED, CARED about and ACCEPTED in the great country of America. You have the freedoms to be whoever you want to be in this country and no one should be able to take that away from you. I will fight for you. I will fight for your rights. My love goes out to all of the victims of this vicious attack and the LGBTQ communities in America." -Stella Goodman, June 13, 2016
Unfortunately on this night, Mateen felt the need to act on hate for the LGBTQ community and it shook the whole country. Omar Mateen has been proven to be affiliated with ISIS organizations. In addition, this was the largest mass killing of Americans by a single shooter and the biggest shooting/hate crime against the LGBTQ community, ever.
"Not only has this terrible event driven me to increase awareness of terrorist affiliations, criminal behavior and recognition of hate crimes, it has driven me to open up possibilities for LGBTQ communities. I want to tell you that you are LOVED, CARED about and ACCEPTED in the great country of America. You have the freedoms to be whoever you want to be in this country and no one should be able to take that away from you. I will fight for you. I will fight for your rights. My love goes out to all of the victims of this vicious attack and the LGBTQ communities in America." -Stella Goodman, June 13, 2016