Kacey Musgraves, who was part of the Country 2 Country line-up that dazzled the 3Arena in March, has sparked much heated debate after taking to social media in the wake of yesterday’s Florida nightclub shooting.
“Let’s go back to saloon days where every muthafucka is carryin’ a revolver and anyone walkin’ in to disturb the peace might maybe think twice,” tweeted the singer who has track a record of supporting LGBTQ rights.
After receiving many highly critical responses, Musgraves deleted the message and said: “Look, emotions are high today. Mine included. Just hating hate. Lots of opinions in the mix. LOVE is the only true answer. Hard subject tho.”
“I pray for all the victims' families during this shooting epidemic,” messaged that other vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, Lady Gaga. “That their pain be met with compassion and support from the world. It's a traumatizing and emotional time for many people. I dream of the world reflecting on what we can do to change this violence. Stand strong with your pride. It belongs to you.”
SOAK heard the news in Indianapolis where she was getting ready to open for The Lumineers in the Murat Theater.
“Thinking of the family and friends of those affected in Orlando today,” she said. “Absolutely disgusted.”
A few hours later, she added: “Also, fuck you @realDonaldTrump.”
Marie Claire Contributing Editor, Nicolette Masons, spoke for many when she said: “Do not pretend for a second that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation in the US has not contributed to this violence. It has. It does.”
Prominent LA-based gay rights activist, Chris Schleicher, noted: “We forget that gay people gathering to celebrate is still a brave political act. Unspeakably sad for the brothers and sisters we've lost.
“Literally lol at anyone thinking they can scare our community,” he added defiantly. “We already had to be gay teenagers. Nothing is scarier than that.”
Quick to react was Gloria Estefan whose band, Miami Sound Machine, broke through the local Latino gay scene.
“My heart breaks for the friends and families of the souls whose lives were taken by two senseless acts of violence in two days in Orlando, Florida, a place I consider my home,” she reflects. “As these massacres become commonplace it becomes even more important for us to love each other as much as humanly possible and to never lose hope that we can somehow make things better. Love will always win and lead us through the darkness into the light... May the souls of the victims rest in peace.”
Sadly, there wasn’t much love from Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick who tweeted Galatians 6:7’s: “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Again, the tweet has subsequently been deleted.
“What will it take just to have a conversation about ‪#GunControl?” asks Questlove who believes it’s a key election issue.
“I don’t mean just (the) President,” he resumes. “You should know where your congress/senate choice & opposition stands. This is The Wake Up Call.”
“What has happened in Orlando is devastating,” says Madonna. “My heart goes out to all the victims of the shooting and to their families. You cannot use the name of god, or religion, to justify acts of violence, to hurt, to hate, to discriminate.”
Glen Hansard was one of the many who re-tweeted the powerful message from singer-songwriter, artist and drag queen Justin Vivian Bond:

Ending our night w/ these sorrowful but fierce words from the incomparable @mxjustinVbond. Love radically! pic.twitter.com/47EmeazClJ

— Joe's Pub (@JoesPub) June 13, 2016