Father Refused to Claim Pulse Nightclub Shooting Victim

[WillParkinson]

All the Pulse nightclub shooting victims’ bodies have been released to next of kin. Even the shooter’s body has left the Orange County Medical Examiner’s building off Michigan Avenue, according to information released this week.

“We effectively and efficiently completed the identification, notification and autopsy process within a 72-hour period – a monumental task,” according to an earlier statement by OCME, which worked with the Florida Emergency Mortuary Operations Response System to complete the gruesome task.

But it was touch and go for one particular shooting victim whose father didn’t want to claim the body. Because the son was gay. Because the father was ashamed. Finally and after much convincing, the body was released to Orlando-area relatives.

This young man shall remain anonymous so as not to further victimize the deceased, who was Puerto Rican. But Orlando Latino confirmed the information with several sources. The tale is part of the untold stories of the Latino victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Social Conservative
The fact is, Puerto Ricans on the island are socially conservative and oftentimes anti-LGBT. While the U.S. Supreme Court declared that same-sex marriage was constitutional in June 2015, gay marriage didn’t reach Puerto Rico until April 2016 – 10 months after the highest court’s ruling – because a San Juan district court said the Supreme Court’s decision didn’t apply to Puerto Rico.

“The district court’s ruling errs in so many respects that it is hard to know where to begin,” wrote the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston in slapping down Puerto Rico’s claim.

http://orlandolatino.org/2016/06/father-refused-claim-pulse-nightclub-shooting-victim/

[tonyt53]

1. As a father myself, this makes me sick.

[In_The_Wind]

2. May he rest in peace.

[shenmue]

3. ...

[bluestateguy]

4. Disgusting

And he probably thinks of himself as a fine Christian.

Jesus would be furious.

[Snarkoleptic]

7. This was also my thought. Whatelse could the father use to justify such awful behavior?

So much for the jeebus is love rhetoric. Fundemantalism often seems to breed intolerance, fear and hatred.

[closeupready]

8. Or "unconditional love". Pffft. How many times have we heard that one.

[Aerows]

10. It's unconditional

provided you meet certain conditions.

[closeupready]

13. Yes. And some people would chuckle at that, but not me.

That is the absolute truth - unconditional love is given only if the receiver meets certain conditions, even if its your children.

[No Vested Interest]

5. So very sad. It had occurred to me that there were likely some victims who had not

come out to their families.

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

[Aerows]

11. It is so sad

it is difficult to find words to express it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. This breaks my heart!

[Aerows]

12. Mine, too n/t

[Aerows]

9. What the father did

reflects the mendacity of character that his son overcame.