We deplore the Islamic fundamentalism and homophobia behind the Orlando massacre

We mourn the victims of the mass murder in Orlando, Florida, and deplore the Islamic fundamentalism and homophobia behind this grotesque hate crime against members of the gay community.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jun 2016, 00:54 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 17:05 BST
This combination of photos shows some of the dozens of those killed in a mass shooting early Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Top row from left are: Amanda Alvear, Angel L. Candelario-Padro, Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, Antonio Davon Brown, Christopher Leinonen, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Darryl Roman Burt II, Edward Sotomayor Jr. and Enrique L. Rios, Jr. Second row from left are: Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Frank Hernandez, Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Joel Rayon Paniagua and Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega. Third row from left are: Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Kimberly Morris, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Luis D. Conde, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Luis S. Vielma, Martin Benitez Torres and Mercedez Marisol Flores. Bottom row from left are: Miguel Angel Honorato, Oscar A Aracena-Montero, Paul Terrell Henry, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Rodolfo AyalaThis combination of photos shows some of the dozens of those killed in a mass shooting early Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Top row from left are: Amanda Alvear, Angel L. Candelario-Padro, Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, Antonio Davon Brown, Christopher Leinonen, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Darryl Roman Burt II, Edward Sotomayor Jr. and Enrique L. Rios, Jr. Second row from left are: Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Frank Hernandez, Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Joel Rayon Paniagua and Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega. Third row from left are: Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Kimberly Morris, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Luis D. Conde, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Luis S. Vielma, Martin Benitez Torres and Mercedez Marisol Flores. Bottom row from left are: Miguel Angel Honorato, Oscar A Aracena-Montero, Paul Terrell Henry, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Rodolfo Ayala
This combination of photos shows some of the dozens of those killed in a mass shooting early Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Top row from left are: Amanda Alvear, Angel L. Candelario-Padro, Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, Antonio Davon Brown, Christopher Leinonen, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Darryl Roman Burt II, Edward Sotomayor Jr. and Enrique L. Rios, Jr. Second row from left are: Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Frank Hernandez, Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Joel Rayon Paniagua and Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega. Third row from left are: Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Kimberly Morris, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Luis D. Conde, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Luis S. Vielma, Martin Benitez Torres and Mercedez Marisol Flores. Bottom row from left are: Miguel Angel Honorato, Oscar A Aracena-Montero, Paul Terrell Henry, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Rodolfo Ayala

Our thoughts and love go out to those impacted by this atrocity, including both LGBT and Muslim communities.

We have long supported the rights of LGBT people, including same-sex marriage and the right to live free from discrimination.

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We shall show solidarity by staging the film Pride and marching in the Parade during Belfast Pride, which runs from 27th July to 7th August. Please join us.

Humanists will continue to challenge religious prejudice and extremism and to seek a world in which people are valued as individuals and not judged on appearances, prejudices or assumptions.

Shelley Leggett, Brian McClinton, Humanist Association of Northern Ireland, Lisburn

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