Frank Ocean Writes Heartbreaking Tumblr Post About Orlando Shooting

As the country continues to mourn and process the tragic events that took place at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida this month (June 12), public figures, celebrities or otherwise, continue to speak out either for increased gun control or against the hate that served as motivation. Today (June 21) Frank Ocean published a heartbreaking and heartfelt message to his Tumblr page, detailing his own experiences with anti-gay rhetoric and the emotional response he's had to recent headlines.

"Many hate us and wish we didn’t exist. Many are annoyed by our wanting to be married like everyone else or use the correct restroom like everyone else," a portion of the post reads. "Many don’t see anything wrong with passing down the same old values that send thousands of kids into suicidal depression each year. So we say pride and we express love for who and what we are. Because who else will in earnest? I daydream on the idea that maybe all this barbarism and all these transgressions against ourselves is an equal and opposite reaction to something better happening in this world, some great swelling wave of openness and wakefulness out here."

In 2012, Ocean similarly posted to his Tumblr page to reveal that he was bisexual, writing, "I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore…I feel like a free man.” His post today then represents a voice within hip-hop that is likewise a part of the LGBTQ community. He concludes the message asking what others hear from the god whom he feels "sounds a lot like myself." Read Ocean's post in full below.

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