Orlando Shootings Response Prompts LGBT Muslims To Fight Bigotry On Two Fronts

'I exist, we exist. Queer Muslims exist.'

Gay and trans Muslims have been forced to fight bigotry against their sexuality, gender and their religion following the massacre at Orlando's Pulse nightclub.

"I exist, we exist. Queer Muslims exist," wrote one person on Twitter, responding to a barrage of comments written solely about Muslims or the LGBT community, and not both.

Others joined in on the debate and reiterated that their values were not reflected by the actions of the gunman.

While some simply asked for both sides to "lay off" and to "stop condemning [them] for being a gay Muslim".

Sunday’s attack targeted the Florida bar, where a lone gunman of Muslim faith killed 49 people.

If all the Muslims in my mentions right now condemning me for being a gay Muslim could condemn the Muslim shooter instead, that'd be great 👌

— Shawn Ahmed (@uncultured) June 12, 2016

I'm gay and Muslim. I want to tell the Muslim community the Islamophobia being spewed now doesn't reflect my values as a gay man. #Orlando

— Shawn Ahmed (@uncultured) June 12, 2016

Me when Muslims tell me I'm destined for hell for being queer & trans- pic.twitter.com/aJTZ2BRZPR

— نورالعين شاحد (@YxxngHippie) June 13, 2016

Vice journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin highlighted that the man arrested for a planned attack on LA Pride, was not Muslim.

An Omar killed 50 ppl at gay club in Orlando & a James planned to attack LA pride. If not Muslim, why he hate us? pic.twitter.com/2yZplkPZ64

— Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) June 12, 2016

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, human rights campaigner and founder of the AHA Foundation, wrote "No doctrine is more violent to the gay community than Islamic doctrine".

No doctrine is more violent to the gay community than Islamic doctrine. It is time to take on Muslim homophobia.

— Ayaan Hirsi Ali (@Ayaan) June 12, 2016

Congressman Joe Walsh hit out at Islam for "hating gays" - while LGBT Muslims proved him wrong.

This Muslim maniac intentionally targeted a gay club. Islam hates #LGBT. Muslims hate gays. If you are gay, Islam wants you dead. #Orlando

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 12, 2016

As a gay Muslim, I very much beg to differ https://t.co/1YK8HkmwTO

— Raillan Brooks (@raillan_ebrooks) June 12, 2016

Amid the calls for taking on Muslim homophobia, there were many queer Muslims just asking for visibility.

Many queer Muslims, including myself, probably feel stuck. Like it's coming from too many different angles to defend.

— BitterMinority (@HalfAtlanta) June 12, 2016

Queer Muslims exist — don't erase them because of one being's actions. pic.twitter.com/c170MuOYXS

— Woke Agenda (@wokeagenda) June 12, 2016

i exist. we exist. queer muslims exist. and i still strongly stand on my point tht God is merciful and loving and doesnt condone violence

— Izzat (@izzatznl) June 13, 2016

Fellow Queer Muslims: I'm always here for you. Special shout-out to those who aren't out due to safety & can't have open discussions today.

— نورالعين شاحد (@YxxngHippie) June 12, 2016

Others from within LGBT community also rallied for people to understand that "It ain't the Muslims".

Each time I leave my house, Black and nonbinary and queer as I am, my chances of not coming back are too high. And it ain't the Muslims.

— Francisco-Luis White (@FranciscoLWhite) June 12, 2016

can't be Muslim can't be gay can't be black can't be at a house of faith can't be at a club can't be at school. land of the free tho

— joey (@jyflrs) June 12, 2016

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