[LINK] "A violent reminder to the LGBT community viral hatred makes them targets"

[rfmcdonald]

John Ibbitson's opinion piece in The Globe and Mail is grim, but accurate.

Earlier this month, Justin Trudeau raised the Pride Flag over Parliament Hill to honour those who have fought for the rights of sexual minorities in this country. But Sunday’s horrific attack on a gay bar in Orlando, Florida reminds us how much hatred and misunderstanding is still out there. Orlando could have been Toronto or Montreal or Vancouver. Orlando could have been anywhere.

Just as fascist governments in Europe imprisoned and murdered homosexuals in the last century, so too religious extremists call for homosexuals to be murdered today. Islamic State has posted videos of gay men being thrown to their death off buildings. Half a dozen countries have the death penalty for committing homosexual acts. Another 70 or so punish the offence with prison sentences. Some also add whippings and/or hard labour.

When governments, terrorist organizations and religious extremists overseas target homosexuals along with women, religious minorities and others in their catalogue of hate, they increase the risk of their message infecting hate-filled minds in our own societies.

A gunman targets women attending school. A gunman targets African Americans attending church. A gunman targets people at work. A gunman targets a gay bar.