Legalectric

This is the worst hate crime in U.S. history.

50 Dead in Nightclub Shooting: ‘An Act of Terror and an Act of Hate’

What Happened at the Orlando Nightclub Shooting

Mass Shooting At Orlando Gay Nightclub: What We Know

Omar Mateen Had Concealed Carry License and Security License in Florida

Orlando Shooter Legally Bought Guns Despite Previous Flags by FBI

And on the other side of the country today:

Man with weapons and explosives arrested; was going to LA Gay Pride parade, police say

The spin of much of the reporting and comments focuses on the religion of the shooter, and that’s misplaced and deceptive.  This is a hate crime.  The shooter’s father has reported that his son was very upset over seeing two males kissing recently:

Orlando nightclub shooter inspired by gay hate according to father

Many media outlets are reporting this with an anti-Muslim spin, which is off point.  And those using this spin are avoiding the anti-gay aspect, and that’s off point too.  But given the anti-gay hatred being spewed by so many “Christians” (C-I-N-Os in my view, there’s nothing Christian about hatred), it’s no surprise.  Franklin Graham is a good example, and he’s coming soon to Minnesota:

Franklin Graham’s detestable anti-gay statements

Franklin Graham’s effort to blacklist LGBT-friendly companies…

There’s so much anti-GLBT vitriol, consider the bizarre “Bathroom Brigade Brouhaha” with laws passed and inciting weird incidents of people being tossed out of bathrooms across the country (shouldn’t the concern be about straight male pedophiles?), particularly where in this Minnesotan’s memory, it’s the Sen. Larry Craigs of the world that demonstrate bathroom issues!

Here’s the scoop on anti-gay hate crimes:  FBI statistics in a 2014 report on 2013 hate crimes, as above, show that 21.3% of hate crimes (reported & deemed) are crimes based on the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of the victims.  That’s 1,262 reported crimes identified as “hate crimes” in 2013.  Looking for more current numbers…

On the other hand, this is what our country is about, an expression of American values, people lining up to donate blood:

Bloodbanks at capacity, donors urged to return in coming days

Make America Love Again!