Where there is darkness, there is light. The tragedy of the Orlando shooting which left 50 dead and 53 injured will leave a hole in the hearts of many, but the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community is shining through. The hashtag #TwoMenKissing has emerged on Twitter and is a beautiful display of pride and defiance against homophobia.
#TwoMenKissing because #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/zws9iJvEUp
— Thaddeus Maximus (@thadnelson) June 14, 2016
It was a dismal day today but @MarkusFranklyn and I brightened it up. #love #twomenkissing #WeStandWithYouOrlando pic.twitter.com/WG34xQ8RMj
— Love, Simon (Sayers-Franklin) (@SimonSFranklin) June 13, 2016
The gunman Omar Mateen had anti-gay views and had recently been offended to see a gay couple expressing affection on a street in Miami.
“We were in downtown Miami, Bayside, people were playing music,” Mir Seddique, Mateen’s father, told NBC News following the shooting.
“And he saw two men kissing each other in front of his wife and kid and he got very angry.”
Because we deserve respect. #twomenkissing pic.twitter.com/6gcBQka4im
— Alec (@isntitalec) June 13, 2016
PRIDE. Always pride. ALWAYS.✊ pic.twitter.com/KnJtH5v8J8
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) June 12, 2016
If #twoMenKissing was the #Orlando shooter's motive, then let this be every hater's conditioning therapy. pic.twitter.com/OG52gCA20Z
— Theo Bleckmann (@Theo_Bleckmann) June 13, 2016
The hashtag has become a symbol of hope as members of the LGBTQIA+ community post photos kissing their significant other. The reaction has been huge with other hashtags such was #TwoWomenKissing, #LoveIsLove and #OrlandoUnited emerging around social media.
We are stronger together #loveislove https://t.co/PUYDUXREcH
— Promise™🗼 (@TheLifeDiaries) June 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/akascarIetwitch/status/742726249743847424
Joy is our protest. #twowomenkissing #twomenkissing pic.twitter.com/uq66AeFM9i
— Tamára Lunardo (@TamaraLunardo) June 13, 2016
Families and friends of the victims. Your City is with you and will continue to be with you. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/vsbk3KVV0S
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) June 13, 2016
What’s beautiful is that it’s not just the community in Orlando, but around the world that are contributing to this hashtag and standing with those who are hurting. We stand with you, Orlando, because love is love.