AS a stand against homophobia and in response to the recent killings at a gay nightclub in Orlando, people have flooded social media with images of two men kissing.

Over the weekend Omar Mateen shot and murdered 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, in an act that has shocked  the LGBTI community around the world.

Following the tragedy, Mateen’s father told NBC news that his son had been enraged earlier this year after seeing a same-sex couple kissing in front of his family.

This prompted people around the world to post images on social media in defiance, using the hashtag #TwoMenKissing.

Many posted the images while condemning violence against the LGBTI community, saying that same-sex love is something that should be celebrated, not hated.

Around the world communities have mourned the tragic mass shooting, with memorials being held in major cities like London and San Francisco.

Here in Australia LGBTI leaders and politicians have spoken out, urging Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to cancel the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite the Liberals plan to hold if they’re elected on July 2.

“LGBTI people are scared… I’ve had numerous friends email me and share how unsafe they feel at the moment,” Australia Equality Party leader Jason Tuazon-McCheyne said.

“I am bracing myself for the plebiscite and how hard that will be, but I am more worried about our son and other kids in LGBTI parented families who will be exposed to an environment that may cause massive harm.”

Other hashtags like #TwoWomenKissing, #LoveIsLove, and #LoveWins have also been shared widely on social media since the shooting.

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