The nightclub was based in one of Florida's
LGBT+ hotspots in Orlando and although
this is thought to be one of the worst mass
attacks on gay people in the US to date,
this is not the first time the mass murder of
gay people has occurred in the USA.
43 years before this, on 24th June 1973,
an arson attack occurred at the Up Stairs
Lounge. Horribly killing 32 and injuring 15
patrons of the bar in what was thought
to be a malicious hate attack on the gay
community in New Orleans.
But it was only in the aftermath of the fire
that the truth came out about the way
people in the LGBT+ community were
really treated.
Radio show hosts made demining jokes
towards the dead, saying "What will they
bury the ashes of the queers in? Fruit jars?"
Churches refused to hold funerals for the
men and families refused to claim their
children's bodies. Leaving four people
unclaimed and were consequently dumped
in a mass grave.
As well as all this, the police department
refused to do a proper investigation
into the fire and the cause still remains
unknown.
It's disgraceful to think that even today,
LGBT+ people are still being verbally &
physically attacked and belittled with way
too many people turning a blind eye.
It's time we came together to remember
the lives of those lost in both of these
monstrous events, and celebrate love in
every form it comes in.
12
ISSUE 103 / 2017
GUESTLIST
On the 12th of June 2016, one of the most heinous hate
crimes in America and LGBT+'s histories was committed.
Tragically 49 people were shot dead and 43 more injured
when a gun man attacked innocent people in the busy gay
nightclub called Pulse.
THE SECRET OF THE SECOND
BIGGEST MASS MURDER OF GAY
PEOPLE IN US HISTORY
INDGI LIVES
