Father of Orlando victim refuses to claim son’s body
The terrible events at Pulse night club in Orlando earlier this month led to a huge outpouring of love and support across the globe, but one story highlights to continued fight for acceptance that LGBT people – even from those closest to them.
According to the Orlando Latino, as the bodies of the 49 people who lost their lives at the hands of gunman Omar Mateen were identified and released to their next of kin to be laid to rest, one went unclaimed.
The body of the victim, from Puerto Rico, and who the Orlando Latino will not name so as not to further victimise him, was left by his father, who refused to claim it because his son was gay.
The victim’s body was later released to Orlando-based relatives, who have since laid him to rest.
The article then goes on to highlight the continued fight for LGBT acceptance in Puerto Rico, a US Overseas Territory, where equal marriage was only introduced in April after judicial opposition to the US Supreme Court’s ruling on the issue last June.
Meanwhile, a minute’s silence was held at Pride in London this weekend to remember the victims of the Orlando tragedy.
You can find out more about each of the 49 victims here.
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