Response to the Orlando terrorism that targeted the gay community.

 First i want to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their family's of the Orlando hate crime massacre. I am in shock, as many Australians are, we can only watch on in horror as we learn more about this horrific event. I wasn't actually going to comment, but i felt i had no choice as my sadness turned to anger.

 I read in disgust as Trump tweeted without mentioning the fact this attack targeted gays, and reiterated his plan to ban Muslims, with no mention of banning homophobia or military grade weapons.
Trump hasn't been a champion in the fight against homophobia (or LGBT hate) to say the least. His party, the Republican Party had presidential candidates un-apologetically attending "kill the gays" rally's. I doubt he will address his parties homophobia.

 I watched in utter disappointment as our Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull used the tragedy to applaud his own "anti-terrorism" measures and somehow managed to not mention it being a hate crime against the LGBT community in a gay bar during pride month.
 He also failed to mention correcting his own parties homophobia; He didn't decide to protect safe schools, he didn't denounce his fellow Liberals homophobia,not even those who attended anti-gay hate rally's, and he didn't promise marriage equality.

UPDATE: Mr Turnbull has after some time made a new statement that does mention the gays. But still didn't substantially address the problem of homophobia that leads to violence. Lets hope his assurances are not empty.
 

 Make no mistake it is homophobia (transphobia, biphobia) that causes violent bigots to target LGBT people. It is the same homophobia we see in Australia perpetuated by anti-gay organizations.  We need to stop the hate.

  One could imagine these organization today, not even 24 hours after the tragedy, might release press releases condemning violence against gays, maybe some of them might make the connection that there particular brand of hate fuels this kind of violence. One could hope that some would apologise for there actions and maybe start working for peace and inclusion. 
 Maybe some of them did, maybe somewhere some bigots are realising there on the wrong side and are making plans to make amends for there past mistakes.

  Not Lyle Shelton of the Australian "christian" lobby (ACL) though, no not him. He took the opportunity to promote his and other bigots attacks of a safe schools program, designed to reduce bullying in schools and LGBT youth suicide. You know a program trying to prevent the kind of homophobia that leads to violent hate crimes. I shouldn't be surprised the ACL is a hate group and their leaders say and do a lot of deplorable things, but their really scraping the bottom of the barrel doing this today. 

 But he's not alone, Peter Madden of the Family First party, a gay hate group that actually has i think one person in our government, and no they don't really put family's first.
 That he could say such homophobic nonsense not just on the same day, but in the same tweet as he mentions the Orlando hate massacre is so mindbogglingly disgusting i am really struggling for words.

Support Victims of Pulse Shooting

 

If you want to help in another way then please contact your local government candidates, your churches, your schools, let them know you do not support homophobia. 

Consider supporting equality with your upcoming vote.

 At the very least please support your LGBT family and friends during this time and make a conscious decision to fight homophobia in all its forms.