RuPaul on Orlando Shooting: "This Is a Huge Wake-Up Call"

RuPaul says he feels "so numb" in the wake of the massacre at a gay nightclub.

On Wednesday's Access Hollywood Live, RuPaul spoke out about the Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub.

"I am so numb from the whole thing and everyone has something to say about it; I don’t have any words yet," said RuPaul. "I don’t want to minimize it into some celebrity sound bite, and I know this is a benchmark for the American people. This is a huge wake-up call for us on so many levels, there needs to be a shift in our collective consciousness."  

He continued, "It’s not just about gun control, it’s not just about gay people, it’s about our identity as Americans. And that’s the challenge for us moving forward."

Two of the contestants from RuPaul's Drag Race were at Pulse the night of the shooting, but RuPaul said he hasn't spoken to either of them yet. 

When asked to talk about how many gay men are banned from donating blood, RuPaul responded that the U.S. still has a "very primitive culture," and said that unfortunately, tragic events like this could be used to "push us forward."

He said, "Every American who believes in what this country stands for is shaken to the core." He commented on the assault weapon used in the shooting and said "Really? In 2016? The American people have some real soul-searching to do not just on this but across the board."