FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2022
CONTACT:
Kenia Guerrero
202-938-6511
kenia@communicationsshop.us
Hispanic Federation: In the Memory of Pulse Victims, Congress Must Pass Stricter Gun Legislation and Address Hate and Homophobia at their Roots
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 12, marks the six-year remembrance of the 49 innocent lives taken during the gruesome shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Hispanic Federation stands in solidarity with victims’ families, survivors of the attack, and all Latinx and LGBTQ communities against hate, xenophobia, and homophobia, and continues to call on Congress to enact stricter gun legislation and other laws to prevent similar future tragedies from happening. The deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman at the time, exceeding both Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook shootings, targeted Latino night at a popular gay nightclub. Nearly all 49 killed and 53 injured were Latino/a/x and Black.
“It is unacceptable that six years after the brutal attack on the Pulse nightclub, we see little to no action from our leaders addressing gun violence or the root causes of hate and homophobia in our country. Little has changed. Hate promulgated by white supremacist and anti-immigrant ideology is on the rise, anti-LGBT laws and rhetoric are proliferating across the country, and common-sense gun regulation continues to be blocked in Congress. Yet the attacks continue to occur, most recently in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
Gun violence and hate crimes disproportionately impact Latinx, LGBTQ, and other communities of color and continue to be a major concern in our country. A 2021 review of CDC data found that each year, more than 4,100 Latinx people die from gun violence in the United States—an average of 11 deaths every day—and 13,300 are shot and wounded. According to FBI Hate Crime Statistics, bias toward race, ethnicity, and ancestry continues to be the largest bias motivation for reported hate crimes. While racially-motivated hate crimes remain most common, anti-LGBTQ incidents are the third largest category of hate crimes in the U.S. and continue to be on the rise, with a 41% rise in anti-transgender hate crimes and an overall 34% increase in gender identity-related incidents in 2020. Antisemitic and racist hate crimes have risen significantly in major cities since the start of the pandemic. This year, New York City reported that hate crimes increased by 76% compared to last year; over half of these attacks were on people of color and members of LGBTQ communities. But the actual number of Latinx victims is likely higher because of the reluctance to report such crimes. (Hispanic Federation, for the second year, is supporting efforts to increase confidence and reporting of hate crimes in Latinx communities in New York City.)
“Staying silent on the racism and xenophobia driving these attacks is not an option; allowing hate-driven bills against minority communities will only give the green light for future tragedies. Anti-LGBTQ bills are skyrocketing in our country, with over 300 bills introduced this year. But in reality, 79% of Americans support laws protecting the LGBTQ community. Similarly, Buffalo and El Paso attackers followed white supremacist and anti-immigrant ideology that numerous politicians and candidates embrace in their racist agenda to gain political points. If we never address the root causes of hate, racism, and homophobia, or hold leaders accountable for promoting these narratives on mainstream and social media, these tragedies will continue to happen,” said Laura M. Esquivel, Vice President of Federal Policy, Hispanic Federation.
“As an organization with Latinx LGBTQ leadership, HF is committed to fighting discrimination and advocating for the visibility and human and civil rights of both communities. We will not remain silent on the inaction of our elected leaders in addressing these critical issues. The lack of common-sense laws regarding the purchase and use of guns and the rise of hate-inspiring and xenophobic rhetoric in mainstream media costs lives,” said Frankie Miranda. “In the memory of those who lost their lives at Pulse nightclub and any other victims of gun violence in our country, policymakers must enact meaningful gun legislation and address the hate and racism at its roots to prevent similar attacks from continuing to take innocent lives.”
