China's LGBT community offered its condolences on Monday to the victims of the mass shooting at a gay bar in Orlando, Florida, which left 50 dead and at least 53 injured.
The tragedy could be related to hatred of homosexuals, demonstrating that homophobia was still prevalent worldwide, even in the U.S., where same-sex marriage has been legalized, said an open letter widely circulated online.
The letter was cosigned by more than 100 non-governmental organizations committed to LGBT rights and support in the country.
All humans are entitled to right of life regardless of sexual orientation and such extreme violence towards the LGBT community must not be tolerated anywhere, it said.
In China, as the letter stated, discrimination and violence against the group also exists in daily life such as the "gay conversion therapy," and bullying of homosexuals at schools.
Such emotions were reflected in comments left by Chinese internet users in reaction to the tragedy across the Pacific.
"It's horrible but gay men are disgusting," wrote an online writer named "smoking cessation is hard" on Netease, one of the popular news portals in China.
"Such open hatred is disappointing," said Geng Le, CEO of Blued, a Chinese gay social-networking app that cosigned the letter to show support as well.
"We LGBT people in China denounce any violence against the community and stand with Orlando," added the letter.
