AAPA Statement on Orlando Shooting
June 14, 2016
AAPA offers our condolences and ongoing support in response to the horrific act of violence in Orlando, Florida this past Sunday, June 12, 2016, in the midst of Pride celebrations among the LGBTQ community. The shootings of innocent people celebrating Latin night at Pulse Nightclub is a tragedy impacting family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and the wider community who have lost their loved ones in a senseless act of violence.
We join in mourning with the many intersected communities impacted by the Orlando shootings, especially our LGBTQ AAPA members and the Division on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQQ) within AAPA. As a community-at-large, we can stand up and take actions in the face of overwhelming tragedy. We will donate what we can, be it blood to be banked or money for victims’ families and organizations that promote peace and support LGBTQ communities.
Importantly, we provide our unwavering support to stay united and protect the human rights of all. We reject hatred in all of its forms and reaffirm our commitment to opposing anti-LGBTQ and anti-Muslim bigotry. Let us stand together and not allow a single individual’s hateful actions to turn us against our Muslim brothers and sisters. We will continue to celebrate Pride Month, Ramadan, and Immigrant Heritage Month. We urge each of us to continue to do our part by reaching out to one another, inviting dialogue, reducing stigma, and promoting access to mental health care during these difficult times. We especially urge you to continue your advocacy work and education about issues of violence, discrimination, hatred, oppression, mental illness, extremism, and the impact on all affected communities.
Selected Resources for Support and Information:
American Psychological Association – Managing your distress in the wake of mass shooting:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/mass-shooting.aspx
American Psychological Association- How to talk to children about difficult news and tragedies:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/talking-to-children.aspx
SAMHSA – Incidents on Mass Violence:
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/disaster-types/mass-violence
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Nadal, Ph.D.
AAPA President, kevin.nadal@beta.aapaonline.org
Download Statement: [AAPA Statement on Orlando Shooting 2016-06-14.pdf]