Brian Sheehan of GLEN: "We are heartsore for the LGBT people of Florida"

The attack on Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which left 50 people dead and another 53 people injured, has been described as "an attack on all LGBT people," by the Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), Brian Sheehan.
"Because it is a hate crime, it is felt in its deliberateness by LGBT people everywhere," he told Hot Press, "and no less in Ireland, even though we're an ocean away. Our hearts go out to the parents, brothers and sister, husbands and wives, lovers and friends of those who were killed. We are heartsore for the LGBT community in Orlando, and in the wider US, who must be reeling with the horror of what's happened to people just because of who they are."
It's not gone unnoticed that alongside the horrific actions of individuals and hate groups, there is an undercurrent of hateful rhetoric within US politics, which Brian believes plays a part in these terrible events.
"Let me put it this way: words carry consequences, and particularly words that seek to demonise or marginalise a group of people because of who they are. We've seen it in both national and regional politics in America; in the last nine months, there have been more than 100 bills brought before state legislature to reverse equality gains – or worse – for LGBT people. We've seen the rhetoric from some politicians and some parts of the media that create a climate where, for some people, it creates something tantamount to a permission to attack LGBT people."
There is some solace to be taken in the fact that a similar attack taking place on our shores is incredibly unlikely.
"It won't happen in Ireland, because Irish people aren't like that," Brian notes. "The media and politicians here aren't like that either. Even in the debates we had surrounding gay marriage, nobody demonised gay people; even the most confirmed No voter last year is light-years away from the type of hatred that inspires this kind of attack."
At the same time, though, there's reason for the events in Florida to hit home.
"I'm not trying to draw a parallel, but Irish LGBT people do suffer verbal and physical attacks because of who they are, or who they're perceived to be. We know that if you're a young LGBT person discovering who you are, you often do so in a hostile atmosphere.
"A shocking tragedy like this is a moment to reflect, and say that we'll no longer be bystanders; that we will commit to wiping out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia from every corner of Ireland; that we won't stand by when a joke is used; we won't stand by when someone targets a person in front of us because they're presumed to be LGBT; we won't allow it to happen. Those are the ways that we answer hatred at that scale and that level, even if it's an ocean away."
GLEN, along with BeLonG To and Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), will gather at Bernardo’s Square (beside City Hall on Dame Street) at 6.45pm in an expression of solidarity and sympathy with all those affected and bereaved by the tragedy.