"Joe and I were talking on the way over here - you can't make up the world into “us” and “them,” and denigrate and express hatred towards groups because of the color of their skin, or their faith, or their sexual orientation, and not feed something very dangerous in this world. And hatred towards people because of sexual orientation, regardless of where it comes from, is a betrayal of what’s best in us. Americans were targeted because we’re a country that has learned to welcome everyone, no matter who you are or who you love. This was an attack on the LGBT community. So whatever the motivations of the killer, whatever influences led him down the path of violence and terror, whatever propaganda he was consuming from ISIL and al Qaeda, this was an act of terrorism but it was also an act of hate. Sunday morning, that sanctuary was violated in the worst way imaginable. "For so many people here who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, the Pulse Nightclub has always been a safe haven, a place to sing and dance, and most importantly, to be who you truly are - including for so many people whose families are originally from Puerto Rico.
"Here in Orlando, we are reminded not only of our obligations as a country to be resolute against terrorists, we are reminded not only of the need for us to implement smarter policies to prevent mass shootings, we're also reminded of what unites us as Americans, and that what unites us is far stronger than the hate and the terror of those who target us.