June 12th marks the 7th anniversary of the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016. Florida's Congressional Delegation, primarily Democrats, commemorated the tragedy. Notably, many framed the attack as a matter of gun violence rather than a "ISIS-inspired" terrorist attack.
Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) stated, "The pain hasn’t lessened for the people of Orlando and those who knew the 49 lives taken that night," adding, "We must honor them with action, to protect the LGBTQ+ community and all our communities from gun violence."
Today marks 7 years since the Pulse nightclub massacre. The pain hasn’t lessened for the people of Orlando and those who knew the 49 lives taken that night. We must honor them with action, to protect the LGBTQ+ community and all our communities from gun violence. pic.twitter.com/05U6ELjJ38
— Congressman Jared Moskowitz (@RepMoskowitz) June 12, 2023
Similarly, Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said, "On this day in 2016, 49 angels were murdered at Pulse Nightclub by senseless gun violence."
"On this day in 2016, 49 angels were murdered at Pulse Nightclub by senseless gun violence. Armed bigotry, hate, & homophobia completely devastated our community. Today, we remember their stories & recommit ourselves to honoring their lives with action. I love you, Orlando," Rep. Frost tweeted.
On this day in 2016, 49 angels were murdered at Pulse Nightclub by senseless gun violence. Armed bigotry, hate, & homophobia completely devastated our community. Today, we remember their stories & recommit ourselves to honoring their lives with action. I love you, Orlando 💙🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/uPlsvdmVDr
— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@MaxwellFrostFL) June 12, 2023
Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) was arguably less political in his commemoration, his tweet reading, "Our #OrlandoStrong community came together to show the world that we will never let hate win."
"Seven years ago, 49 innocent lives were taken at Pulse nightclub. Our #OrlandoStrong community came together to show the world that we will never let hate win. Today, we remember our angels and reaffirm our commitment to keeping their spirits alive. #ForThe49," said Rep. Soto.
Seven years ago, 49 innocent lives were taken at Pulse nightclub. Our #OrlandoStrong community came together to show the world that we will never let hate win.
Today, we remember our angels and reaffirm our commitment to keeping their spirits alive. #ForThe49 pic.twitter.com/3vJmAJ4BDm
— Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) June 12, 2023
Former State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-FL) stated, "The fight for equality, dignity, + freedom from gun violence has never been more important," with an optimistic conclusion of "LGBTQ Floridians have overcome dark times before, + with far fewer allies than we have today. As we #HonorThemWithAction, let’s continue to resist bigotry by proudly raising our flags."
The fight for equality, dignity, + freedom from gun violence has never been more important. LGBTQ Floridians have overcome dark times before, + with far fewer allies than we have today.
As we #HonorThemWithAction, let’s continue to resist bigotry by proudly raising our flags.🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/dgD7AIezmo
— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) June 12, 2023
State Representative Anna Eskamani (D-FL) expressed more pessimism and politicization, saying in a four-tweet thread, "We continue to honor their lives through action as we fight back against all forms of bigotry and work to prevent gun violence," and "I also want to acknowledge that these have been horrifying bad times for the LGBTQ+ community. Not only have we seen a rise of homophobia and transphobia, but Governor DeSantis has signed multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law."
I also want to acknowledge that these have been horrifying bad times for the LGBTQ+ community. Not only have we seen a rise of homophobia and transphobia, but Governor DeSantis has signed multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law. 3/4
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) June 12, 2023
As noted, there is little reference to shooter Omar Mateen's motive beyond "hatred" and "bigotry," framing the tragedy as an act of "gun violence" rather than "terrorism."
The day after the massacre in 2016, CNN detailed Mateen's past where he expressed sympathy for the Islamic State and supposedly pledged his allegiance to the group.
In 2021 for the Pulse shooting's fifth anniversary, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) explicitly called Mateen "an ISIS-inspired terrorist."
In 2020, Mateen's widow Noor Salman was a guest speaker at the Muslim Legal Fund of America Center's "Angels Await" charity fundraiser. Notably, Salman had spoken of her awareness of Mateen's intentions to attack the Pulse nightclub, suggesting she assisted Mateen case targets, despite cell phone and GPS data proving her claim false during the trial.
