MCC Global Moderator Grieves the Mass Shooting at a Gay Club

Calls for Investigation of Terrorist Attack on LGBTQ People

June 12, 2016 - "We condemn this terrorist attack on LGBTQ people that injured or killed more than 60 people in Orlando, Florida, at a popular gay club earlier today. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims," said Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Global Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches. "We urge all police and authorities to investigate this attack as fervently as an airplane going down in deep water. This was an intentional mass murder of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the middle of Pride month at the most popular bar in Orlando. It was meant to send a message and we need to know who else may have been a part of this horrific action."

"Forty-three years ago, an arsonist in New Orleans killed 32 people--most were members of Metropolitan Community Church. We never forgot those who died that day.  Today we must demand justice for those killed in this vicious attack. It is time to do background checks on all gun owners and to control the sale of weapons of human destruction," said Dr. Wilson. "Our country is in the midst of one of the worst murder epidemics in the history of the world. We grieve the lack of civility, the homophobia, racism, and sexism, and the growing impoverishment of souls and bodies that breeds violence. We call for a time of prayer from all religions in this country that a time of peace and prosperity might be enjoyed by all."

"Finally, we at MCC, urge faith leaders to condemn this vicious act from their pulpits," said Dr. Wilson. "We need them to preach a message of respect across lines of difference. We need them to preach a message of God's amazing love for diversity--in the natural world and the human world. It is religious intolerance that supports discrimination and even this violence. It must be religious teaching that moves hearts away from hatred."

Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) has been at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements by addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, economics, climate change, aging and global human rights.  MCC was the first to perform same gender marriages and has been on the forefront of the struggle towards marriage equality in the US and other countries worldwide.