Pulse 6 Years Later

One Orlando Alliance

“Central Florida was changed forever on June 12, 2016. The LGBTQ+ community was deeply harmed by hatred but was then surrounded by love and compassion. We cannot allow the current hateful attacks of rhetoric to continue against our communities, and we call on all those who love us to stand with us. Violent rhetoric leads to emotional, mental, relational, and physical violence. Our community and every community deserves better. We deserve safety, dignity, respect, and the opportunity to enrich our surroundings as we live authentically.”

—Josh Bell, Executive Director, One Orlando Alliance

Equality Florida

“Six years ago, our community was rocked by a brutal act of gun violence fueled by unbridled hate. In the end, 49 of our friends and family members were stolen and people across the globe were left reeling. Unfortunately, we are once again facing the rising tide of anti-LGBTQ legislation and bigoted, dangerous rhetoric targeting marginalized people for cheap, political gain. We know that this climate of emboldened hate ultimately leads to discrimination — and violence. As we mark another year since the tragedy at Pulse, we are called upon to recommit to the work of honoring those impacted with action by working to end gun violence, disarm hate, and ensure that hate will not win.”

—Brandon Wolf, Pulse Nightclub survivor and Equality Florida Press Secretary

Equality Federation Institute

“This June, we mark six years since the tragedy at Pulse nightclub, a brutal act of violence that stole the lives of 49 people. Unfortunately, violence and hatred towards LGBTQ+ people haven’t gone away. This year alone, we saw state legislatures enact harmful anti-LGBTQ+ laws, particularly those targeting transgender young people and their families. In Florida and dozens of other states, anti-LGBTQ+ legislators are doing all they can to stop even the mention of our community, fueling a climate of hate that leads to greater violence against us. As we continue to fight for our ability to exist, we must keep honoring the memories of the lives cut short on June 12, 2016—and the many other members of the LGBTQ+ community whose lives have been taken or forever changed by hate and violence.”

—Fran Hutchins, Executive Director, Equality Federation

Peer Support Space

“Orlando has been on a healing journey for the past six years, and our community is stronger and better because of it. We are a beautiful example of resilience and acceptance. Our LGBTQ+ community has grown into a safe haven for individuals across the state and the world. We welcome all and are grateful for the support of our local elected officials. We mourn at the attacks on our collective rights coming out of Tallahassee, but in times like this we continue to rely on each other and support one another as we continue to grow and heal.”

—Andres Acosta, Director of Respite Operations, Peer Support Space

GLAAD

“Six years after the deadliest single incident of violence against the LGBTQ community in U.S. history, it is more important than ever that we remember the 49 people killed and that we ensure the safety of our communities moving forward. Anti-LGBTQ bias takes many forms, from bans on education and books to social media harassment and misinformation, but too often it leads to violence. Right now, legislators in Florida and elsewhere are playing a dangerous game by bowing to anti-LGBTQ extremists, passing laws that roll back equality, and broadcasting harmful messages about LGBTQ people—especially about transgender youth and their families. These attacks must stop now. We will not go backward.”

—Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO, GLAAD

Contigo Fund

“The recent news out of Buffalo, Laguna Woods, and Uvalde’s unimaginable horror deeply resonates with Orlando. The hurt, trauma, and ripple effect caused by gun violence run deep after the headlines disappear. Contigo Fund, the first and only LGBTQ+ Latinx fund in the United States, was launched in response to the horrific June 12, 2016, Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando on Latinx Night targeting LGBTQ+ people of color. Contigo Fund will continue to be there for the community by offering financial support, strengthening connections, and building on the leadership of individuals and the capacity of organizations, especially emerging and grassroots groups that often lack access to mainstream philanthropy. As we approach the 6-year mark since the Pulse shooting, we remember those whose lives were taken, the survivors still fighting, and the community who continues to be there for those pushed to the margins of our society.”

—Joél J. Morales, Foundation Manager, Contigo Fund

QLatinx

“From the individuals killed and injured in atrocities such as the Pulse 6 years ago to the countless Queer, Trans, Black,Indigenous, People of Color killed by firearms daily. The consequences of gun violence are more prevalent within nuestrx comunidades and the families, children and those left behind from these tragedies are forever changed. It becomes t becomes not just an issue of gun regulation, but also of addressing the impact on those who have been traumatized by such violence,past the immediate flashing media story. The hatred towards the LGBTQIA+ folxs hasn’t gone away, and for many of us, we live with the consistent reminders, and triggers daily. QTBIPOC voices are an essential part of the growing calls for action to make our country safer. We as a community are no longer willing to accept the violence. We can turn our pain into action. The actions we take today, can save a life tomorrow.”

—Gabriella Rodriguez, Executive Director of QLatinx

Human Rights Campaign Foundation

“Even as the years go by, the horror of what took place on June 12, 2016, at the Pulse Nightclub remains fresh in the minds of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ lives remain under threat, and gun violence continues to be an ever-present nightmare. Whether it is school children in Uvalde, Black grocery store shoppers in Buffalo, intimate partner violence, or anti-transgender violence, gun violence can and does touch everyone’s lives, particularly the most marginalized. As Black trans women continue to face an epidemic of violence; as almost 30 hate crimes involving a gun occur a day; as children continue to feel unsafe in their schools, it is more urgent than ever that concrete steps be taken to end gun violence and ensure the safety of all people, including the LGBTQ+ community.”

—Joni Madison, Interim President, Human Rights Campaign Foundation

OnePulse Foundation

“Our hearts will forever ache for the 49 lives taken, the victims’ families, survivors, first responders and all those affected by the Pulse nightclub tragedy of June 12, 2016. We honor the memories and legacies of our 49 Angels each and every day, while continuing our important work to create and support a memorial that opens hearts, a museum that opens minds, educational programs that open eyes and legacy scholarships that open doors. We must ensure that future generations never forget what happened at Pulse, and further our message: We will not let hate win.”

—Scott Bowman, Chief Communications Officer, onePULSE Foundation

Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

“Six years since the tragedy at Pulse, mass shootings and gun violence across the country continue to underscore the fact that lawmakers are failing to keep our communities safe every single day. This country’s gun violence crisis places a disproportionate burden on marginalized people, including people of color and LGBTQ+ people, and for too long, policymakers have turned a blind eye. This Pride month, gun safety advocates are activating across the country to make sure policymakers don’t look away from the scourge of violence plaguing our communities. We will continue to show up and hold them accountable until they step up and act.”

—Becky George, Senior Advisor for Movement Building, Everytown for Gun Safety

Jerry Wright

“Jerry was a wonderful, loving, caring son. He was friends with everyone and truly wanted to make this world a better place. He was an entrepreneur at heart.”

—Fred J. Wright, father of Jerry Wright

Chris Brodman

“Chris was the most alive person I had ever met. Being the recipient of his smile was like being in the sun. A streetwise New York kid complete with the accent, he found a home in Orlando.”

—Jim M.

Christopher “Drew” Leinonen

“My son, Christopher, was an easy-going child from birth. He was fun and happy. He used to love taking baths when he was little because I always sang his favorite song during bath time.”

—Christine Leinonen, mother of Christopher “Drew” Leinonen

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@qlatinx; @ContigoFund; @lgbtcenterorl; @onepulseorg; @equalityfed; @equalityFL;  @everytown; @glaad; @humanrightscampaign (Instagram) or @hrc (Twitter); @peerhealing; @OneOrlandoAll; @onePULSEorg

QLatinx is a grassroots racial, social, and gender justice organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ Latinx community.

The Center Orlando promotes and empowers the LGBTQ+ community and its allies through information, education, advocacy, and support. Learn more about The Center’s OUAC program.

OnePulse Foundation was established to create a sanctuary of hope following the tragic day in American history–Sunday, June 12, 2016–to honor the 49 Angels that were taken, the 68 others who were injured and the countless first responders and healthcare professionals who treated them.

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.

Equality Federation Institute is the movement builder and strategic partner to state-based organizations advocating for LGBTQ people. From Equality Florida to Freedom Oklahoma to Basic Rights Oregon, we amplify the power of the state-based LGBTQ movement.

Human Rights Campaign Foundation: by inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. 

Contigo Fund, which emerged from the Pulse tragedy, offers financial support to organizations working to heal, educate and empower LGBTQ and Latinx individuals, immigrants and people of color, as well as those working to end all forms of bigotry in Central Florida.

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.

In the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy in 2016, organizations came together to meet the needs of our traumatized community. This informal partnership grew into the One Orlando Alliance, a coalition of diverse organizations honoring the memory of the lives taken and all those affected at Pulse by serving and strengthening the LGBTQ+ community. Through a multi-sector network of partnerships, One Orlando Alliance is transforming Central Florida into a community where all LGBTQ+ people can belong and thrive.

Peer Support Space was founded as a peer-led organization, that exists outside of the current system, where we use our lived experience to support and hold space for one another as we navigate our unique journeys with life struggles, mental illness and/or substance misuse challenges, neurodivergence, disability, grief, trauma, or other obstacles to mental wellness. We use, and help others use, the power of lived experience to support, educate, and guide one another while providing additional, free options for mental wellness.

The Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund is the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country.