To the LGBT+ members, especially those from US

Thank you for posting this. I'm very surprised that no one, and I mean NO ONE posted something about this.

Honestly, as a member of the LGBT community, this affected me directly. This could've been ME, this could've been anyone. If there was anyone here who was in that nightclub, I wouldn't even know what to think. I'm very emotional about this.

I do care, but I'm not one to comment on these things on the internet. I talk to my friends and family about it, which I have a lot there past few days, believe me. And Tim0n already said what's important. Still, here goes:

What happened is atrocious. Just like what happened in Paris a few months ago, or what has been happening in Syria. People hide their blood lust behind religion and ideologies. They gather those who wish for things to get better and draw upon their insecurities to manipulate them. Inevitably, people die, most often innocents. And it doesn't matter if the people murdered are gay, black or Jewish. It just so happens that the people who are like-minded or shunned by society are more likely to come together and help each other. Sometimes these people are peaceful and happy for each others company, and sometimes they release their collective hatred on others. And that is when the first group suffers the consequences, because they are an easy target. And that again sparks anger and frustration. It's a vicious circle.
There is only one thing we can do against this: Be an example for the generations that come. We cannot expect to eradicate all the tensions in the world within one generation, as good as that would be. We need to teach our children the values of a peaceful, happy and solidary society, and maybe it will be a reality on of these days. And until then, we should all do what we can to help those who need help. A happy person doesn't steal, discriminate against, or murder others.

And that's all I'm going to say about this. The internet is already full of people who say lots of more or less insightful things. I rather go out and do them.

P.S.: "Love thy neighbor" does not extend to Fan Games auditions, if neighbor doesn't read the rules.

Let me be the Devil's advocate, for both sides.

Though I don't agree with Divvy's opinion that people don't actually give a crap, between the lines he actually brings up a very important point.
When we think Paris or Brussels, we remember everybody speaking out and coming together in solidarity with the victims as well as their relatives and friends. People were proud to show themselves as part of the community.

This time round, it hasn't quite been the same.

We heard a lot of voices that were applauding the attacks, using very derogatory terms to describe the LGBT+ community (do your research to find out what exactly that was).
We heard a lot of people who were trying to find any reason for the attack that was different to homophobia. Although we don't know the exact motives and we probably never will, it is highly likely that homophobia was one of the reasons why this tragic event occurred. Note that I'm avoiding using words like "definitely" or "certainly", because, frankly, we don't know. But the likelihood of it is high.

What hurts the most, however, is what we haven't heard and seen, and what some of us have not experienced. Support from our straight friends. There were a lot of people who just said nothing. Not condemning the attacks, not condemning those who supported the attacks. Homophobes will be homophobes - that won't change. It hurts, of course, but what hurts more is seeing that people you call "friends" don't actually have your back. They see the hurtful comments that are being made against us, and yet don't react. It hurts to see this, and it also brings us to asking a very painful question: why?

This is why our house is flying the rainbow flag until the end of June. For me and my other flatmates, this is the only flag we would stand behind and support unconditionally, even if it meant that we're putting our lives at risk.

There's an article from John Peart where he explains why it hurts so much, and I thoroughly recommend you read it to get another insight.


With that in mind, Gagamillionaire has made a very important point too. Creating hate and barriers is the worst thing we can do right now. We shouldn't be getting angry at each other; we shouldn't be burning down any bridges we've built thus far. It's not "Us against Them" and it never should be. We need to all stick together to make the world fairer for everyone.

Love will triumph. Love always wins. Let's believe it.

Not everybody will be pleased with what I'm going to say and you'll maybe be shocked. With all the respect I have towards homosexual people, I personally do not understand why two person of the same-sex would have a love relationship. For me it is contrary to nature that two people of the same-sex are loving each other. DO NOT think that I don't respect homosexual people, I respect them as much as any human being on this d**m earth. I'm not homophobic AT ALL (maybe it sounds like it but I'M NOT !!) but that is my point of view and it will perhaps change in the future as I grow up. You know, I'm only 17 year-old so I don't have that much experience of life yet and I'm not trying to give any lessons here but I'm sharing my point of view with all of you guys. That can not please everybody of course, some will agree with me, some will not, some will hate me for what I'm saying and that is normal, everybody as the right to have their own opinions. BUT THIS IS GOING TO FAR !! Homosexual people DO NOT deserve to be killed because they are gay or lesbian. They deserve to live their lives as they pleased as any human being, as far as they don't hurt anyone else.

I'm not trying to hurt anybody and you may be shocked of what I said about that I do not understand why two person of the same-sex would have a love relationship but that's it and I'm sorry if I hurt anyone or shocked anyone that is not intentional. I'm just sharing my point of view. You will maybe hate me after that and I'll perhaps not be welcome here anymore because of what I said but I shared my opinion to all of you guys, and that is the most important. To all homosexual out there and in the world, stay strong ! These motherf*****s who did the attack will burn in hell !!

I understand that you're hurt and don't worry I'm too like a lot of people in the world right now. What happened is horrible and should've never happen. To answer to your question, unfortunately it's hard to co-exist in peace because there will always be people out there to bother us in our peace. And for what I said up-there, I'm sorry if I hurt anyone and that was not intentional at all and I'm terribly sorry. I knew that not everybody would like what I said but I said it. You can hate me for that if you want but I'm happy I shared my point of view. Again, I'm sorry if I hurt anybody, never been so sorry...