ON THE PULSE MASSACRE: WHO IS LEFT OUT OF THE CURRENT DISCOURSE?
by Minnah W. Farook, M.A., Ed.S., Roberto L. Abreu, M.S., Ed.S. & James J. Garcia, M.S.
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year ago we mourned the loss of 49 LGBTQ+ victims (58 wounded) during the Pulse nightclub massacre, most (90%) of whom were of Latinx and Puerto Rican heritage. Since then, the LGBTQ+ community, especially queer Latinx and people of color (PoC), have struggled to heal while fostering resilience and finding ways to work through fear and hypervigilance. Needless to say, both the Latinx and LGBTQ+ community at large have, and will continue, to mourn. Additionally, there have been repeated attempts by conservative politicians to co-opt this traumatic experience for the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community in order to advance an antiMuslim agenda. This has contributed to a sociopolitical narrative that allows the media and politicians to scapegoat the Muslim community by promoting antiMuslim rhetoric and policies and does not recognize the complexity of internalized homophobia and heterosexism, mental health issues, and gun control legislation that may be factors in the Pulse attack. On June 10, 2017, ACT for America, a group that has been identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty
Law Center, organized a “March Against Sharia” in 20 states and 28 cities across the country. Although described as defenders of Muslim women and human rights, the founder of the group, Brigitte Gabriel, has equated all Muslims with terrorists, claimed that Muslims cannot be loyal to America, and has spread hate speech to demonize all Muslims. In close proximity to the march, and timed with the anniversary of the massacre at Pulse nightclub, members of the group took the opportunity to connect their anti-Muslim message with support for LGBTQ+ rights. This opportunistic ploy has attracted misinformed LGBTQ+ individuals and LGBTQ+ allies to these marches and to the thinly veiled anti-Muslim agenda of ACT for America. Given the current sociopolitical climate, including the proposed “Muslim Travel Ban,” and the media’s focus on Islam in relation to ISIS, it is easy to fall into the trap of scapegoating Muslims for social problems that we must all work together to resolve. However, it is very important for LGBTQ+ individuals to be aware of the displaced anger toward Muslims and recognize the tactics being used to create
division among marginalized groups to maintain the status quo. This anti-Muslim rhetoric further serves to alienate Muslim LGBTQ+ individuals from both the Muslim and the LGBTQ+ community. As Lilla Watson, an indigenous Australian artist and activist, said, “…if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” We need to remember that the liberation of LGBTQ+ individuals is tied to the liberation of other marginalized groups, including Muslims. We must work together to fight for our rights and advocate for social justice by being allies to each other when we are attacked. We can achieve this through communication and meaningful engagement within and for our communities. For LGBTQ+ and allies, let us remember that the current sociopolitical rhetoric is and will continue to attempt to create division among us. For those who identify as Queer or Queer PoC, it is important to remember that we have lived (and will continue to live) in survival mode just to exist. It is our responsibility to speak up, but more importantly to stand up, in the fight against Islamophobia and resist being pitted against one another.
Q This article is an adaptation of its original version. Please visit: www.gradpsychblog.org/on-thepulse-massacre-who-is-left-out-of-the-currentdiscourse/#.WUqNk-z2bcs Minnah W. Farook, M.A., Ed.S. & Roberto L. Abreu, M.S., Ed.S. are Counseling Psychology Ph.D. candidates at the University of Kentucky and PCSO Board Members. James J. Garcia, M.S. is a Clinical Health Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the University of North Texas. 10 LinQ // JULY 2017 . ADVOCACY