Washburn Center for Children is deeply saddened by the horrific act of terrorism in Orlando Florida, which resulted in the deadliest mass shooting in US History.
The senseless deaths of 49 people – and the physical and emotional injuries to the hundreds of additional people present – leave irreversible scars on many families and much pain for the LGBTQ community.
As supporters of the LGBTQ community, Washburn Center wants to acknowledge this act of hatred. We are heartbroken at the unjustness of it happening during Pride Month – a time set aside to honor, celebrate and defend the universal human rights of a community that has long been marginalized. We join with many others in experiencing strong feelings of sadness, disappointment, anger, fear, and empathy for the families who lost loved ones.
We respect that everyone responds to these unthinkable events and media coverage in their own way, and we recognize that they have sparked intense and important conversations about the realities of homophobia, transphobia, safety and discrimination. We encourage these conversations within our staff and our community, and we share these resources for children and families as they process this tragedy:
Talking to Children About Community Violence
Tips from The National Child Traumatic Stress NetworkÂ
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, the LGBTQ community, and Orlando.