Queer Voicesorlando shootingsky newshomophobia

Journalist Walks Off TV Show When It Won't Address Real Cause Of Orlando Shooting

"The bigots must not be allowed to hijack this atrocity."
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By 

Deputy Director of News & Analytics, HuffPost

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A journalist walked off the set of a Sky News segment after the host and another guest refused to acknowledge the Orlando shooting's roots in homophobia. 

Owen Jones, author of The Establishment and a Guardian columnist who also happens to be gay, appeared on Sky News Sunday with host Mark Longhurst and guest Julia Hartley-Brewer. The conversation focused on Omar Mateen's shooting rampage at the LGBT club Pulse in Orlando early Sunday morning that left 49 victims dead and at least 53 injured, making it the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. 

Mateen's father said his son, who was killed by a SWAT team, had previously gotten "very angry" when he saw two men kissing in Miami. 

"We were in downtown Miami, Bayside, people were playing music. And he saw two men kissing each other in front of his wife and kid, and he got very angry," Seddique Mir Mateen told NBC News. "They were kissing each other and touching each other, and he said: 'Look at that. In front of my son, they are doing that.' And then we were in the men's bathroom, and men were kissing each other."

On Sunday, Jones referred to the tragedy as a "homophobic hate crime, as well as terrorism" and "an intentional attack on LGBT people" during his Sky News appearance, but Longhurst and Hartley-Brewer instead dubbed it a crime against humanity. 

“But it’s something that’s carried out against human beings, isn’t it?” Longhurst said, adding “on the freedom of all people to try and enjoy themselves." Hartley-Brewer questioned why Jones would think he has "ownership of the horror of this crime." 

Fed up, Jones walked off. 

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Jones then took to the Guardian to explain why he walked off in "disgust": "it was an instinctive reaction to an unpleasant and untenable situation." He said if the conversation was about an attack on Jewish people it would rightly be described as antisemitic, and there is evidence of Mateen's homophobic tendencies from his father and former coworkers. 

"This was homophobia as well as terrorism. It is not enough to simply condemn violence: we have to understand what it is and why it happened," he wrote.

"Today, the 'we only care about LGBT rights if Muslims are involved' brigade are out in force," he added. "As a gay man, I am proud to live in a city represented by a Muslim mayor who has faced death threats for supporting and voting for LGBT people to have the same rights as everybody else. The bigots must not be allowed to hijack this atrocity."

Longhurst later said it was not his "intention to offend."

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Before You Go

Orlando Shooting Vigils
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Savannah (L) is embraced by her friend Ricky during a vigil to commemorate victims of a mass shooting at the Pulse gay night club in Orlando, Florida, U.S., June 12, 2016. Savannah said she lost a friend in the shooting. (credit:Adrees Latif / Reuters)
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An eagle statue, symbol of Besiktas Sports Club (BJK), is partially covered by signs in solidarity for the victims of the gay nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, Turkey, June 13, 2016. The signs read in different languages that: "Love will win. Stand with Orlando". (credit:Murad Sezer / Reuters)
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People place candles during a vigil for the victims of a shooting in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on June 13, 2016 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. The vigil is put together by Betty Grisoni co-director of Pink Dot and co-founder of local lesbian group Les Peches with Double Happiness, Les Peches, Out in HK and Pink Alliance joining in as supporting organisations. (credit:Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)
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People commemorate victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando in front of the US embassy in Warsaw on June 13, 2016. (credit:WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
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A man touches the ground next to rainbow flags during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre on June 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (credit:Daniel Munoz/Getty Images)
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Participants hold candles during a vigil at Frank Kits Park in Wellington on June 13, 2016, in remembrance of victims after a gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida in the worst mass shooting in US history. (credit:MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)
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A woman writes a message of support in a book placed in front of candles left by other attendees of a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting in Florida, in Hong Kong on June 13, 2016. (credit:ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images)
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Placards and flowers brought at the US Embassy in Moscow to pay tribute to the Orlando nightclub shooting victims. (credit:Alexander Shcherbak/TASS/Getty Images)
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Mourners hold an LED sign reading 'Dallas To Orlando' as they march during a vigil in Dallas, Texas, on June 12, 2016, for victims of the attack at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. (credit:LAURA BUCKMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Zachary Noriega holds his candle high as speakers address a full room of supporters during a vigil for the Orlando shooting victims. Denver community members gathered in support of the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting in the early morning hours on Sunday, June 12, 2016. (credit:AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/Getty Images)
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A woman cries during a vigil in a park following a mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Carlo Allegri / Reuters)
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People comfort each other at a vigil outside The Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, considered by some as the center of New York State's gay rights movement, following the shooting massacre at Orlando's Pulse nightclub, in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., June 12, 2016. (credit:Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters)
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US ambassador to Thailand Glyn T. Davies (R) gestures to members of the LGBT community outside the US Embassy in Bangkok on June 13, 2016 during a vigil for victims after a gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida in the worst mass shooting in modern US history. US anti-terror strategy came under fresh scrutiny after a gunman previously cleared of jihadist ties launched a hate-fueled rampage in a Florida gay club that left 50 people dead. (credit:LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)
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People hold hands in a circle during a vigil in a park following a mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Reuters)
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People hug in solace before a vigil and church service held at Joy Meropolitan Community Church very close to Pulse nightclub. (credit:Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)
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Mourners gather under a LGBT pride flag flying at half-mast for a candlelight vigil in remembrance for mass shooting victims in Orlando, from San Diego, California, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Mike Blake / Reuters)
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People gather in the Castro District for a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting at a gay nightclub, in San Francisco, California, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Stephen Lam / Reuters)
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Worshippers listen as Imam Syed Shafeeq Rahman of the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce offers a prayer for victims of the Orlando shooting, in Fort Pierce, Florida June 12, 2016. (credit:Joe Skipper / Reuters)
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Local residents Paul Velasco (L) and his partner Dana Hecker embrace during a vigil to commemorate victims of a mass shooting at the Pulse gay night club in Orlando, Florida, U.S., June 12, 2016. (credit:Adrees Latif / Reuters)
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Men stand together during a vigil after the worst mass shooting in U.S. history at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in front of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 12, 2016. (credit:Joshua Roberts / Reuters)
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People hold a vigil after the worst mass shooting in U.S. history at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in front of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 12, 2016. (credit:Joshua Roberts / Reuters)
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Orlando (did not want to provide his last name) (C) who was injured in the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub attends a memorial service at the Joy MCC Church for the victims of the terror attack where Omar Mateen allegedly killed more than 50 people on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (credit:Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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People attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting at a gay nightclub, held in San Francisco, California, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Stephen Lam / Reuters)
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People sitting next to candles and a rainbow flag take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S., outside of the US Embassy in Santiago, Chile June 12, 2016. (credit:Pablo Sanhueza/Reuters)
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Lt. James Young of the Orlando Police department is hugged by Karen Castelloes after a memorial service at the Joy MCC Church for the victims of the terror attack at the the Pulse Nightclub where Omar Mateen allegedly killed more than 50 people on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (credit:Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Mourners attend a memorial service at the Joy MCC Church for the victims of the terror attack at the the Pulse Nightclub where Omar Mateen allegedly killed more than 50 people on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (credit:Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Orlando residents Arissa Suarez (L) and Malcom Crawson attend a vigil at Lake Eola Park for victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. (credit:Steve Nesius / Reuters)
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Orlando residents attend a vigil at Lake Eola Park for victims of an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. (credit:Steve Nesius / Reuters)
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Two men embrace during a candlelight vigil at the Parliament House Resort, after an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Jim Young / Reuters)
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Jeffery Greamo (L) and Jon Paul join in a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting at Orlando's Pulse nightclub during a Pride Month block party in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Brian Snyder / Reuters)
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A man places a candle as a sign of condolence for victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S., in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 12, 2016. The sign (L) reads, "Solidarity with all the victims and relatives of Orlando". (credit:Nacho Doce / Reuters)
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A woman looks on next to a rainbow flag, candles and messages at a vigil for victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S., in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 12, 2016. (credit:Nacho Doce / Reuters)
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A man holds a candle during a candlelight vigil at Parliament House Resort, after an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Jim Young / Reuters)
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Orlando residents light candles during a vigil at Lake Eola Park for victims of an early morning shooting attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, U.S June 12, 2016. (credit:Steve Nesius / Reuters)
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Italian LGBT gay rights supporters hold candles as they take part in a ceremony in memory of the victims of the Orlando shooting, on June 12, 2016 in the 'Gay Street' gay- and lesbian-friendly neighborhood near Rome's Colosseum. (credit:ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)
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Italian LGBT gay rights supporters hold candles as they take part in a ceremony in memory of the victims of the Orlando shooting, on June 12, 2016 in the 'Gay Street' gay- and lesbian-friendly neighborhood in Rome. (credit:ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)
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A parade marcher holds a sign in memory of the victims of the attack on a gay night club in Orlando, Florida at the 46th annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:David McNew / Reuters)
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Members of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence carry a sign of remembrance for mass shooting victims in Orlando, at the 46th annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:David McNew / Reuters)
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Kristen Jaeger holds a sign of remembrance for mass shooting victims in Orlando, at the 46th annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:David McNew / Reuters)
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Members of the gay community and others light candles and lay flowers outside the American consulate for a vigil in Guadalajara, Mexico on June 12, 2016 to mourn the victims of the mass shooting that occurred overnight in Orlando, Florida, at the Pulse gay nightclub. (credit:HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images)
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People tend to a memorial at the Christopher Street West presentation of the Los Angeles LGBT Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California, U.S. June 12, 2016 in honor of the victims of the deadly attacks at a gay night club in Orlando, Florida earlier in the morning. (credit:Lisa Richwine/Reuters)
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Party attendees join in a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting at Orlando's Pulse nightclub during a Pride Month block party in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. June 12, 2016. (credit:Brian Snyder / Reuters)
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Mourners lay flowers during a vigil in reaction to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida,in New York on June 12, 2016. (credit:BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images)
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People hug during a vigil in reaction to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida,in New York on June 12, 2016. (credit:BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images)
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People wave flags during a vigil in reaction to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida,in New York on June 12, 2016. (credit:BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images)
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People and members of the gay community holding the peace rainbow flag gather for a vigil near the Beaubourg art center in downtown Paris on June 12, 2016, to mourn for victims of the mass shooting that occurred overnight in Orlando, Florida, at the Pulse gay nightclub. (credit:GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images)
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Austin Ellis, a member of Metropolitan Community Church, carries a cross with a sign in memory of the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting as he marches in the 2016 Gay Pride Parade on June 12, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 50 people were killed and 53 injured at the gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida early Sunday morning. (credit:Jessica Kourkounis via Getty Images)
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