Fridae

China

On Tuesday 190 Chinese LGBT groups issued a statement condemning the Orlando massacre and expressing sympathy for victims.

Chinese state media referred to it as the largest coordinated effort by LGBT groups in the country. The statement read:

“We, the members of China's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, wish to express our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families, friends, and loved ones, and all those affected by this monstrous act.

Together with them, we grieve the loss of so many innocent lives and strongly condemn terrorism and all forms of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”

China's largest gay dating app, Blued, also changed its loading screen to honour the victims. Adam’s, a gay bar in Beijing, hosted a vigil for the victims on Tuesday night. Mondo Wong, the owner of Adam’s, told HKFP that he wanted to do something for Orlando. “I was heartbroken after I saw the news. We want to use the internet, the media and other channels to let them know that they’re not alone.” Around 60 people attended.

Japan

More than 100 people gathered in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward on June 14 to honor victims of the shooting rampage, organised through Stonewall Japan. Around 150 supporters held a candlelight vigil in a park and then marched to Shinjuku 2-chome, a district with a large gay community in the capital.

“After I learned about the shooting, I could not sleep because I was too frightened,” said a 23-year-old graduate student from Tokyo, told Asahi Shimbun. “I joined the gathering because I had to do something, even though it may be too little to change anything.”

Singapore

LGBT groups in Singapore including AFA Singapore, GLBT Voices Singapore and Pink Dot Singapore released this joint statement.

“The mass shooting in an LGBT nightclub in Orlando is a tragedy and sobering reminder of the homophobia LGBT individuals experience on a daily basis. We are shocked and saddened by what has transpired in Orlando and we share in the pain of the families and friends of the victims.

Our leaders have offered their statements of condolence to the victims of the shooting and we could not agree more that this was an act of senseless violence that led to the loss of innocent lives. We applaud Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam’s reassuring words that the Singapore government would protect its people regardless of race, religion or sexuality.

However, the LGBT community here remains vulnerable from the lack of actual laws protecting us against discrimination and hate. Beyond physical violence, the LGBT community continues to have to deal with psychological and social violence. The presence of 377A in the Penal Code empowers hateful ideologies and individuals, giving them what amounts to a state-sanctioned trump card to act on ideas of destructive discrimination or worse, divisive hatred.

Singapore has a secular and diverse society, with people from myriad backgrounds and beliefs, and places no one set of beliefs above another. We know the majority of Singaporeans are understanding, loving people, who can discern beyond the guise of traditional values to advocate an all-encompassing and inclusive diversity.

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has called for dialogue and engagement. It is our hope, as an LGBT community, that through meaningful dialogue and engagement, our leaders will get the opportunity to better understand the LGBT community. At the end of the day, we want the same thing – a safe, peaceful and united Singapore for all Singaporeans.”

On Tuesday evening, around 700 LGBT and supporters gathered at Singapore’s Hong Lim Park and formed a giant heart with their glow sticks and electronic candles.

Hong Kong

Over 100 people gathered around Hong Kong’s Linq bar for a year candlelit vigil on Monday evening, according to Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP). The vigil was organised by Betty Grisoni and Abby Lee of gay group Les Peches. Supporting organisations included Aids Concern, the Big Love Alliance, Double Happiness, HKGALA, Pink Alliance, Pink Dot and Out in HK.

LGBT activist Denise Ho addressed the crowd and said “I am devastated by this news. I wish we were in a world that is not filled with so much hate. Knowledge and understanding are the only way we can overcome this hatred,” she said. Legislator Cyd Ho also condemned the attack. “There shall be no killing with hatred in the name of morality. Let’s stop it once and for all. Let’s work to prevent this type of violence in Hong Kong before it’s too late,” she said.