At about 6 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (it’s now 12:43 am here), I saw a breaking news report in my house. A shooting and hostage situation was unfolding in Orlando.
I looked up the incident on my iPad and quickly realised the shooting was at a gay bar.
The initial reports were around 40 people injured, with fatalities unclear.
The fatalities then moved to around 20, but this was still unclear.
Then, while following a live-streamed press conference, I heard Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer say “it is with great sadness that there are 50 casualties.”
I barely held back tears.
This is the second-darkest day in the United States since 9/11, as apart from 9/11, this is the deadliest attack of any type.
This is the darkest day for LGBT people, I think ever, around the world.
I’m shaking as I write this. How could this happen?
But it’s no mystery. Homophobia killed 50 people today. That’s why.
This is the clearest indication we have ever known of how dangerous hate can be. This is the clearest indication of how seriously we must take it. I will fight it and oppose it in all its forms.
May the 50 people (and those who die subsequently) who were so cruelly taken from us go to a better place than the terror they died in.
May the injured have a speedy recovery and be able to continue their lives as best as possible.
May their families be able to grieve and cope as best as they can.
Rest in peace, everyone.
And never forget what happened today.