Below is a statement from NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling on the tragic shooting that happened early this morning in Orlando:
All of us at the National Center for Transgender equality are heartbroken by this morning’s shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. We extend our sympathies to all families affected by this horrific mass killing.
While we are still waiting for more information about the shooter's motives, anti-LGBT extremists have been escalating their hateful rhetoric and speaking as if violence against LGBT people is justified. Their speech has real, tragic consequences. Last night's mass shooting was the deadliest in U.S. history.
Today, we are in solidarity with LGBT people in Florida and around the nation. We will not allow this tragedy and others like it to deter us from continuing to work towards ending violence and discrimination against transgender people.
