Statement on Orlando Shooting

Dear FIFSW and Social Work Community,

On behalf of FIFSW, we want to express our sadness and anger at the horrific acts of violence that occurred early Sunday against the LGBTQ and racialized community in Orlando. Our thoughts are with the families and friends who had loved ones injured or killed and those that experienced this traumatic event. Now, more than ever, we must stand together with our allies to actively work to reduce hate and promote LGBT-affirmative and supportive education and services. We stand against homophobic, transphobic, racist, xenophobic, or Islamophobic rhetoric aimed at dividing communities.

Traumatic events such as these often have lasting and invisible effects. During this Pride month, please take this time to seek the support you need and provide support to others that may be affected by this tragedy. You may also choose to support our friends at Equality Florida who have set up a GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund. Please also note the thoughtful message from our University of Toronto leadership at https://www.utoronto.ca/news/university-toronto-statement-orlando-shooting.

In Solidarity,

Faye Mishna, Dean

Shelley Craig, Associate Dean, Academic

Some University of Toronto-based resources:

The University’s Diversity and Equity offices:
http://life.utoronto.ca/get-involved/diversity-equity/

Specifically for students:
https://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/

Specifically for staff and faculty:
Employee Assistance Program