Last Sunday, Omar Mateen committed one of the most deadly and horrific mass shootings in US history. Reportedly influenced by the ideologies of Isis, the Orlando resident opened fire in Pulse nightclub: killing 49 members of the LGBTQ community, and injuring 53 others.
Understandably, due to the sheer scale of such a tragedy, the news was covered extensively around the world. Many shared their thoughts and condolences; including politicians, celebrities and the majority of mainstream media outlets. Rightfully so, too – it was a devastating moment for humanity, as well as (most importantly) the LGBTQ community.
Unfortunately, though, this was no isolated incident. According to reports in South America’s Telesur, news of a similar attack just three weeks prior – in which seven people were shot to death in a gay club in Veracruz – barely managed to travel past the state’s border.
“In the early morning May 22, gunmen entered La Madame, a gay club in Veracruz, and proceeded to fire into the crowd of approximately 180 people,” the paper reports. “In total, seven people were killed and at least 12 injured in the attack.”
The article states that the Mexican government initially dismissed the killing as a “territorial fight over drug sales” – though LGBT activists in the country have apparently disputed those claims. According to them, the authorities are ignoring the “homophobic aspect” of the attack: a theory that’s supported by the heightened risk of violence faced by many in the queer Latinx community.
Currently, the lack of coverage outside of Mexico is not easy to explain. Although fewer people may have died, the circumstances are alarmingly similar; with Telesur insinuating that the drought in interest may be down to the west’s fascination with Islamic scapegoating. “The LGBT community in Latin America regularly faces violence, and Islam has nothing to do with it,” the paper adds. “Though Latin America has been seen as a global leader in gay rights for gay marriage legislation, protections against discrimination and general tolerant views, violence – fatal or not – persists.”
