Orlando vigils planned for Pretoria and Bloem
Vigils to remember the 49 victims of Sunday’s gay club massacre in Orlando, Florida are now also planned for Pretoria and Bloemfontein. These two events are in addition to Thursday’s candlelight vigil in Cape Town and Durban and Joburg. BLOEMFONTEIN Mr. Mardi Gras SA, aleXander Steyn, is calling on everyone in his hometown Bloemfontein and surrounding […]
Was this Orlando massacre victim from South Africa?
There are reports that one of the victims of the Orlando gay nightclub massacre was born in South Africa. Peter O. Gonzalez-Crus was listed among the fatalities in Sunday morning’s horror attack on the city’s Pulse club. According to his Facebook page, the 22-year-old was from “Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa”. He also lived in Batam, […]
Was Orlando shooter Omar Mateen struggling with his own sexuality?
In an unexpected twist, there are reports that Orlando shooter Omar Mateen had not only been to Pulse nightclub before but had used gay dating apps. On Sunday, the 29-year-old slaughtered 49 people by opening fire on hundreds of revelers inside the gay club. He was later shot by officers who stormed the venue. The […]
South Africa’s LGBTI community condemns Orlando massacre
South African LGBTI groups have expressed their shock and outrage at Sunday’s massacre of 49 people at an Orlando, Florida gay nightclub. In a joint statement, the organisations told Orlando’s LGBTI community: “We stand in solidarity with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.” They said: “To those who hate; the individuals, the governments, […]
President Zuma sends condolences to the US following Orlando tragedy
The South African government and President Jacob Zuma have sent an official message of condolences to the American people. This is the full text of the message: On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has sent a message of condolences to the Government and the people […]
American Muslim leaders condemn Orlando gay club attack
America’s largest Muslim advocacy organisation has condemned Sunday’s bloody attack on an Orlando gay nightclub. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has offered its “condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured…” The group also asked the Muslim community nationwide to take part in a blood donation drive for those injured in the […]
Update: St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town to also host Orlando vigil
A silent vigil will be held at St George’s Anglican Cathedral, in Wale Street, Cape Town, for the victims of the shootings in Orlando. It takes place on Friday June 17, from 12 noon till 1pm (come for any part of this). Innocent women and men, participating in the pleasure of dancing, enjoying time with […]
Did police prevent another LGBT massacre at LA Pride?
Following the slaughter of 49 people at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, it’s been revealed that police arrested an armed man on his way to LA Pride. On Sunday, a resident called the Santa Monica Police Department to report a possible prowler. Officers investigated and arrested 20-year-old James Howell of Indiana after they found three […]
Step forward as Ukraine holds peaceful Pride
Following the violence of 2012 and past bans on the event, the Ukrainian capital Kiev held its first major peaceful Pride parade. According to the authorities, around 1,500 people turned out to march for LGBT equality in the city centre on Sunday. The participants were protected by a cordon of 5,500 police officers. The authorities […]
Obama on Orlando LGBT massacre: “This was more than a nightclub”
President Barack Obama has given his condolences to the families of Sunday’s Orlando LGBT club massacre. The president delivered a televised statement on the tragic shooting, which he described as “a horrific massacre… of dozens of innocent people”. The slaughter of 50 people by 29-year-old Omar Mateen from Port St Lucie, Florida, is the deadliest […]