Editorial: There is no ‘normal’ to return to, Orlando will stay with us forever

After three days of rolling coverage, there’s no ‘normal’ to go back to following the Orlando massacre.

The Orlando massacre is one of the worst events our community has ever seen – and certainly the most horrific thing we have witnessed in the 11-year history of PinkNews.

Following the shooting, our small team of journalists and writers has worked incredibly hard around the clock to bring you coverage of events, some of which stands as our proudest work.

We’ve brought you more than 60 stories across our three days of coverage; from the tragic stories of LGBT people who  lost their lives, through to reactions from world leaders and the LGBT community.

This meant an editorial decision to put aside everything else: unrelated stories were spiked, interviews were postponed, and announcements went unreported. It was the right thing to do.

We will never go back to normal after Orlando.

There is no state of ‘normality’ left to return to. We return to a world which is bitterly divided, with the threat of homophobia clearer than ever, and the legacy of 49 LGBT people etched in our memory.

Of course, we will continue to comprehensively cover the fallout from Orlando in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

But as well as this, we hope to slowly return to some of our regular coverage – bringing you the other major LGBT news from around the world.

I will leave you with of some of the stories we have seen over the past few days.

Nick Duffy, UK Editor

Man who sent heartbreaking text to mother during Orlando shooting confirmed dead

This young, gay couple were planning their wedding – now they will have a joint funeral

Heartbroken mother of missing Orlando man: ‘No one can tell me where my son is’

Orlando doctor shares blood-soaked shoes after treating shooting victims

Orlando massacre survivor writes powerful open letter to shooter

Je suis Orlando: Eiffel Tower leads the world in rainbow tribute after gay club massacre

GoFundMe for Orlando massacre victims’ families is fastest ever to reach $1m

President Obama describes Orlando gay club mass shooting as ‘act of terror’

New York police stand guard outside Stonewall Inn, 47 years on from brutal raids

UK Parliament holds minute of silence for Orlando massacre victims

PHOTOS: London streets come to a standstill as thousands march in solidarity with Orlando

Jeremy Corbyn to Orlando shooter and perpetrators of hate crimes: ‘We will defeat you with love and solidarity’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan vows to protect LGBT Londoners at Orlando vigil

Mhairi Black: We can’t let people exploit Orlando to stir up hatred

Home Secretary: Pride events should go ahead

UK’s LGBT venues heighten security amid fear of ‘copycat’ Orlando terror attacks

Front pages: How newspapers responded to the Orlando massacre

American Muslim leaders to ISIS: ‘You do not speak for us’

Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish leaders unite to condemn Orlando shootings

Donald Trump claims Clinton victory will lead to mass murder of gays

Leave.EU slammed over ‘vile’ Brexit poster exploiting Orlando massacre

Owen Jones walks off Sky News show after hosts ‘deny Orlando massacre was homophobic’

The Pope didn’t even mention gay people in his statement on Orlando

Love is Love is Love: Lin Manuel-Miranda moves Tonys audience to tears with Orlando poem

James Corden dedicates Tony Awards to Orlando victims in powerful opening speech

WATCH: Adele breaks down as she dedicates concert to Orlando victims

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper fights back tears during on-air tribute to Orlando victims

Lady Gaga gives moving speech at LA vigil to honour Orlando shooting victims

John Oliver: There’s no better sign of unity than a gay club Latino night in Orlando