Orlando shooting: LGBT community shows support on social media

Orlando, June 14: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community on Monday came out to support the victims of the the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida, in which 50 people, including the shooter, were killed and 53 others injured when a "lone wolf" gunman opened fire early on Sunday.

Artists and activists from the community responded to the Orlando shooting with love and defiance and posted their kissing and hugging photos on the social media.

People responded with messages of strength and resilience in the face of violence.

"I stand with the LGBT community. I stand with the Muslim community. together we stand against terrorism. together we stand in solidarity," a user wrote on Twitter.

The community members also took part in Los Angeles Gay Parade on Monday and shared photos and wrote messages on the social media.

"Walked down to be part of the @LAPRIDE parade. Didn't know what else to do except love and mourn at the same time. #orlando," another user posted on Twitter.

US President Barack Obama called the mass shooting an "act of terror" and "act of hate" while saying that the as the incident was "home-grown extremism" that the US authorities had been worrying about.

According to the police the gunman pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and tried to negotiate with police during the attack.

"He was cool and calm when he was making those phone calls to us," Orlando Police Chief John Mina on Monday.

"We had a team of crisis negotiators that did talk to the suspect just trying to get as much information as possible ... He really wasn't asking for a whole lot. We were doing most of the asking," Mina was quoted as saying.

--IANS

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