The Pulse Night of Remembrance on June 12th is an annual testament to the work that still needs to be done in the fight for equality. But it also stands as a powerful illustration of hope, resilience, and the healing power of love and community.
The Pulse nightclub was a known sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community in Orlando, and at the time of the shooting, more than 300 people were inside celebrating the club’s weekly Latin Night. As a result, the people who lost their lives in this shooting were predominately Latinx members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Pulse shooting is still the most significant single act of violence against the LGBTQ+ community in the US. And, as the community moves forward and heals from this tragedy, the Pulse Night of Remembrance gives us space to grieve and honor those who are no longer with us.
What Happened at Pulse and How Did It Affect the LGBTQ+ Community?
On June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida was holding its annual Latin Night – a weekly celebration of Latin music and culture. The event was attended by hundreds of Hispanic and Latinx people and their friends, predominantly members of the LGBTQ+ community.
At about 2 am, there were still more than 300 people inside Pulse, enjoying the music and drinks when gunshots began to go off. Many people initially thought the sounds were part of the music. Soon, though, the screams and continued fire made it clear this was not part of the show.
What happened next was chaos.
Over the next several hours, the shooter killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others. He also held hostages, making it difficult for law enforcement to enter the building. A SWAT team was eventually able to break in. And, during the shootout that followed, the attacker was killed.
After the shooting at Pulse, Orlando, America, and the world were shaken and devastated. The LGBTQ+ community was – and remains – heartbroken over the hatred and violence that continue to decimate our families, friends, and spaces.
But love always wins.
When these 49 members of the LGBTQ+ community were killed in the shooting at Pulse, Orlando came together in support and love. Churches held memorial services and candlelight vigils. Neighbors, co-workers, and relatives came to leave letters and tokens of love, and one man drove from Illinois to build 49 crosses in remembrance of each victim of the shooting.
How the Pulse Night of Remembrance Raises Awareness
The Pulse Night of Remembrance really began in the week following the shooting. Candlelight vigils were held. Nearby churches rang their bells 49 times, once for each person killed. The crosses that were built by an ally were covered in notes, tokens of remembrance, and signs of support.
The governor of Florida at the time, Rick Scott, tweeted: “This is an attack on our people. An attack on Orlando. An attack on Florida. An attack on America. An attack on all of us.”
President Barack Obama also issued several statements, decrying the shooting as an act of terrorism and hatred. He expressed his solidarity and compassion for the families of those whose loved ones were killed or wounded in the attack.
More than 50,000 people visited the location for an impromptu Pulse memorial service to show support, love, and honor to the victims. And people from all over the world showed their support in many different ways. The San Fransico Gay Men’s Chorus issued our own statement of solidarity and sang in honor of the victims.
This outpouring of love and support brought a considerable amount of media attention to the violence that members of the LGBTQ+ community risk every day – just for being themselves. It also spurred the creation of the annual Pulse Night of Remembrance and annual Pulse Memorial observances.
Honoring Those Who Were Taken During the Attack
The 49 people who were killed during the attack on Pulse are:
- Stanley Almodovar III
- Amanda Lizzette Alvear
- Oscar A. Aracena Montero
- Rodolfo Ayala Ayala
- Antonio "Tony" Brown
- Darryl Roman Burt II
- Angel Candelario-Padro
- Juan Chavez Martinez
- Luis D. Conde
- Cory James Connell
- Tevin Eugene Crosby
- Deonka "Dee Dee" Drayton
- Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández
- Leroy Valentin Fernandez
- Mercedez Marisol Flores
- Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz
- Juan Ramon Guerrero
- Paul Terrell Henry
- Frank Hernandez
- Miguel Angel Honorato
- Javier Jorge Reyes
Sharing their names is one of the most powerful ways we can honor these members of the community who are no longer with us, especially on the Pulse Night of Remembrance.
The Impact on Our Communities
Throughout the world, the LGBTQ+ community remains irreversibly altered by the Pulse shooting. The families of those who lost their lives have continued to reach out to receive and offer support.
After the attack on Pulse, Orlando’s community underwent a dramatic change. Before, there were small pockets of LGBTQ+-inclusive spaces, but these were almost exclusively nightclubs.
That is changing.
State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith – one of three Florida members of the legislature who is also part of the LGBTQ+ community – says, “It’s hopeful for me to think that a younger me today wouldn’t have to leave Orlando for an opportunity, or to find a sense of belonging and purpose as a young queer or trans person of color.”
The Pulse Memorial isn’t a physical place. It’s a reminder. It exists to acknowledge the longstanding impact of that night – both positive and negative.
Each year, on the Pulse Night of Remembrance, we have a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Stronger communities are only a piece of the puzzle – action to help reform broken systems is another.
Getting Involved
You can observe the Pulse Night of Remembrance by connecting with your community. This might look like organizing or attending a candlelight vigil, discussion group, or local LGBTQ+ space.
Speak out on social media, sharing the names of those who lost their lives and calling others to action. And reach out to your local and state representatives, urging them to take action to protect the rights and safety of our community.
Finally, remember to support LGBTQ+ activism and outreach groups. Donating to SFGMC and other LGBTQ+ groups helps us continue our full-time mission of providing safety, love, and acceptance for everyone.