Gay Community in Berlin Urges After Orlando Attack
Gays and lesbians have gathered in front of the US embassy in Berlin to mourn the victims of the Orlando shooting
June 14th, 2016
From Berlin to Bangkok officials, public figures and citizens are expressing condemnation and shock over the Florida mass shooting at the Pulse Orlando nightclub on Sunday, when Omar Mateen, 29, entered a crowded club with an assault rifle and pistol and opened fire killing 50 people and wounding at least 53, according to authorities.
In Germany, there is a really flourishing LGBT community. More than 100 people have come together in front of the U.S. Embassy to mourn the victims of the Orlando shooting. People were setting white lilies and pink roses next to teddy bears in front of a rainbow flag and an American flag. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also commented that "we have a heavy heart" over the fact that "the hatred and malignancy of a single person" cost so many lives.
Helmut Metzner, one leading member of the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany, condemned it as a "global loss" saying that the attack was not only on Orlando people but on the entire gay "family" worldwide. He affirmed, "It could have hit any single one of us," adding: "We must stand united and defend our lifestyle and not back down. That is what the terrorists want, and that's a favour we won't do them."
Berlin represents one of the more liberal city in the world regarding LGBT rights; its where the first male-to-female surgery was performed and where the science of ‘transsexuality’ was founded before Nazi came to power.
Thanks to progressive legislation and an atmosphere of mutual respect for everyone, Germany is now one of the most progressive countries in Europe for LGBT people to live, work and of course visit too. There are also several prominent German politicians who are openly gay. Among them are Berlin's former mayor Klaus Wowereit, from the Social democratic Party. He openly outed himself with the famous words "Ich bin schwul,und das ist auch gut so!" "I am gay, and that's a good thing!" and Guido Westerwelle, former federal Foreign Minister.
Despite the fact that Berlin itself is one of the most open and welcoming cities in the world today, a growing far-right movement in Germany had already begun to set the local LGBT community on edge, and now concerns are heightened all the more. For this reason even in Germany, the LGBT communities are starting to be seriously concerned about their safety, according to Marcel de Groot, director of the Gay Counseling Center in Berlin.
It is for this reason they affirmed that they will continue to raise rainbow flags as a symbol of love and hope for the future.
References:
- - http://www.dw.com/en/everyone-knows-that-hatred/a-19327737
- - http://www.edglentoday.com/topnews/details.cfm?id=119799
