CUPE Ontario statement of solidarity with the LGBTQ community in Orlando, Florida

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 13, 2016) - CUPE Ontario is devastated by the horrific mass shooting that targeted the LGBTQ community in Orlando, Florida early Sunday morning. The loss of life and the pain left behind for family and friends will leave a permanent scar in their community, their country and our world.

We have seen major advancements in the rights of LGBTQ people in Canada, something we celebrate with pride, but we must never become complaisant. Events such as what has just happened in Florida serve as a tragic reminder that building an inclusive society that embraces our differences is a continuous struggle.

We cannot allow the events of yesterday to fan the flames of religious intolerance. We will likely never know what drove the shooter to such a hateful act, but we do know that there are not enough mental health treatment services available to those who need them, and we do know that guns are far too easily available in the United States. We hope desperately that their governments will come together to fix these problems.

CUPE Ontario's 258,000 members stand shoulder to shoulder with the millions of people all around the world who are choosing to respond to this atrocity by coming together in whatever forums they can to say: We will not allow fear and hate to win. We will live our lives with hope, tolerance and love.