LGBTI Africans mourn and protest with grieving U.S.
London-based frican LGBTI organisation Out and Proud Diamond Group today took part in a vigil and protest about the June 12 massacre in Orlando, Florida. OPDG stated:
Our prayers, hearts, solidarity and empathy goes to the victims, loved ones, families and friends of the Orlando homophobic terror attack.
The attack shows that we still have a long way to go to achieve freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. We must work together to eliminate homophobia and terrorism. We need to get rid of anti–LGBTI laws and change negative attitudes towards LGBTI people worldwide.
What happened in Orlando could happen in any country, including Commonwealth countries. It is scary for me and other members of the African LGBTI organisation Out and Proud Diamond Group to see many lives lost and many others wounded in a country that allows same-sex relationships.
It is very crucial that we challenge extreme religious teachings that might turn people into defenders of hate, bigotry and discrimination towards LGBTI people instead of promoters of tolerance, acceptance and love towards LGBTI people.
— Edwin Sesange, director of OPDG
Related articles:
- 49 fatalities in Orlando join 1000s of LGBT victims worldwide (June 13, 2016, 76crimes.com)
- India vigils in memory of Orlando shooting victims (June 13, 2016, Orinam)
- How the Rest of the World Is Honoring the Victims of the Orlando Shooting (U.K., France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Hong Kong and Israel) (June 13, 2016, Time)
- Video of London vigil (LGBTI Africans in Out and Proud Diamond Group)
Jamaican official’s appalling criticism of grieving Americans