The Academy has issued the following press statement in response to today's tragic mass shooting in Orlando.
"Today, the United States bears witness to another senseless act of horrific gun violence. News reports of the injuries and deaths from the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, are staggering. Mass shootings plague this country. The innocent are killed, and lives altered irrevocably. Gun violence destroys people, families and communities. This tragedy was perpetrated on members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community as they socialized in June – the month designated to combat stigma and celebrate pride among LGBT people. As pediatricians, we grieve with them and their families. We offer ourselves as resources to help youth begin to heal and to advocate for policies that will end this violence," said Benard P. Dreyer, M.D., FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics.
All families suffer today as these cherished people died and were hurt in Orlando. As the LGBT community is wounded by gun violence, it is a reminder for us to love all children and young adults. We offer condolences to those killed, injured and grieving but we also resolve to work harder to make all the children of the world feel valued. We can pick up the pieces and mend by overcoming the bitter intolerance that gives root to these terrible acts," said Karen Remley, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., FAAP, Executive Director/CEO, American Academy of Pediatrics."
"Today, the United States bears witness to another senseless act of horrific gun violence. News reports of the injuries and deaths from the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, are staggering. Mass shootings plague this country. The innocent are killed, and lives altered irrevocably. Gun violence destroys people, families and communities. This tragedy was perpetrated on members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community as they socialized in June – the month designated to combat stigma and celebrate pride among LGBT people. As pediatricians, we grieve with them and their families. We offer ourselves as resources to help youth begin to heal and to advocate for policies that will end this violence," said Benard P. Dreyer, M.D., FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics.
All families suffer today as these cherished people died and were hurt in Orlando. As the LGBT community is wounded by gun violence, it is a reminder for us to love all children and young adults. We offer condolences to those killed, injured and grieving but we also resolve to work harder to make all the children of the world feel valued. We can pick up the pieces and mend by overcoming the bitter intolerance that gives root to these terrible acts," said Karen Remley, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., FAAP, Executive Director/CEO, American Academy of Pediatrics."
