It’s the shocking tragedy that has convulsed America and the wider world – the worst gun massacre yet committed in the United States.
Details are still emerging about the murder of some 50 people at the Pulse LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida, by gunman Omar Mateen (29), and the brutal hate crime has led to an outpouring of shock, grief, anger, fear, and love over the past 24 hours.
Here are some of the most powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking reactions from Twitter.
1)
In retrospect Sandy Hook marked the end of the US gun control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.
— (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) June 19, 2015
2)
Tonys: James Corden Gives Somber Opening on Orlando Shooting https://t.co/vVdfltQoHb
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 13, 2016
3)
If you can't wrap your head around a bar or club as a sanctuary, you've probably never been afraid to hold someone's hand in public.
— Jeramey Kraatz (@jerameykraatz) June 12, 2016
4)
This hurts. My god. pic.twitter.com/Wj7H1COLBf
— Clapbactivism™ (@steenfox) June 12, 2016
5)
Our prayers are shallow, an affront even, as long as so much religion fails fully to affirm and include LGBT people #Orlando
— paul colton (@b2dac) June 12, 2016
6)
It's not prayers Orlando needs, it's decent gun control. ?https://t.co/7JllF8zymq
— (((Helen Ayres))) (@Raphaelite_Girl) June 12, 2016
7)
i want to know in concrete terms what is so gorgeous about heterosexuality that it warrants the murder of those who do not abide by it
— Hari Nef (@harinef) June 12, 2016
8)
"It is an outrage that our blood can be spilled but not donated." #Pulseshooting https://t.co/6QJeWhXWuh
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) June 12, 2016
9)
Since the queer and trans community can't donate blood to save their own, one of largest Muslim groups does this: https://t.co/m2ulcIRHCO
— IrreductibleGersande (@gersandelf) June 12, 2016
10)
Trying to focus on the helpers in light of the #PulseShooting. A tragic, horrific hate crime has occurred. https://t.co/w9uKqRCOzn
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) June 12, 2016
11)
I just hope folks are aware as to how their casual homophobia feeds violent attacks like this.
— damita jo (@kiaspeaks) June 12, 2016
12)
it was latino night at the club. latinx lgbt people were targeted and killed. please don't forget that
— ㅤㅤㅤ (@jeonwonwwoo) June 12, 2016
13)
Attack a synagogue, it's anti Semitic.
Attack a mosque it's Islamophobic.
Attack a gay venue it's not homophobic, just an attack on everyone— Hanif Leylabi حنيف (@hanifleylabi) June 12, 2016
14)
Shoutout to pro-gun Republicans who took a break from passing anti-LGBT laws to offer thoughts and prayers to LGBT victims of gun violence.
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) June 12, 2016
15)
#Orlando is a tragic, vital reminder of these basic facts of life for LGBT people pic.twitter.com/E9GRTVtsJy
— Declan Cashin (@Tweet_Dec) June 13, 2016
16)
Why was he a "29 year old Islamic Radical" and not a "29 year old Radical American Homophobe"
— Kiese (@KieseLaymon) June 12, 2016
17)
THIS is why we have #Pride. Because everyday there is someone who wishes we didn't exist, and yet we do, with love and joy. #Pride2016
— (((Rhea Butcher))) (@RheaButcher) June 12, 2016
18)
Chance, 3, just waved to a fire truck. His dads were concerned about safety, but they're here in solidarity pic.twitter.com/D6cpTnpjmv
— Claudia Koerner (@ClaudiaKoerner) June 12, 2016
19)
Haunted by the thought of potential #Orlando victims that mightn't have been out to family/friends – does anyone even know they're missing?
— Declan Cashin (@Tweet_Dec) June 13, 2016
20)
You've palled around w/a pastor who has called "for the death penalty for homosexuals." You are part of the problem. https://t.co/kToifohyVJ
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) June 12, 2016
21)
AR-15 rifles are banned in UK.
Total AR-15 shootings in UK = 0
America – the madness has to stop – ban AR-15 rifles.#orlando #GunControlNow— James Melville (@JamesMelville) June 12, 2016
22)
Luis Vielma worked on the Harry Potter ride at Universal. He was 22 years old. I can't stop crying. #Orlando pic.twitter.com/Nz2ZCWxNsS
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 13, 2016
23)
President Obama took an awful, alarmist question on gun control just 10 days ago. You’ll want to watch his response. https://t.co/E2Fyo3ChhY
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) June 12, 2016
24)
We'll do anything to stop terrorists short of making it hard to get guns
— Haley Joel USMNT (@BobbyBigWheel) June 12, 2016
25)
USA, the country where "Trans people in the bathroom are a threat to public safety" yet mass-murders are quite literally an everyday event.
— Dened Rey (@Hajabeg) June 12, 2016
26)
Canada has had 8 mass shootings in 20 years. The US has had 7 since Monday.
— Rachel West (@rachel_is_here) June 12, 2016
27)
We forget that gay people gathering to celebrate is still a brave political act. Unspeakably sad for the brothers and sisters we've lost.
— Chris Schleicher (@cschleichsrun) June 12, 2016
28)
There will be attempts to pit two vulnerable communities, LGBT and Muslims, against each other. Resist them.
Also: ban guns.
— (((David Klion))) (@DavidKlion) June 12, 2016
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