Today we remember the 49 LGBTQ lives lost at the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016. The first shot rang out at 2:02 a.m., and the incident became—at the time—the deadliest mass shooting in modern history.
The shooting was a harsh reminder that many of us in the LGBTQ community, especially queer people of color, are still not fully safe to live life freely and without discrimination. As we go into Pride month, it’s necessary to reflect on the event and to understand that we must keep our community and our resistance at the forefront of our Pride. The idea of “Pride” started as a form of protest against the power structures that oppressed the queer community, especially our trans sisters and LGBTQ people of color.
Pulse is a reminder that to be openly queer is to be brave. It is to be certain of yourself in the face of backlash or hate. It’s also a stark reminder that discrimination is alive and well across the globe. We have to stand up not just for ourselves, but for our queer community. Here at GO, we solemnly remember the Pulse nightclub shooting and the lives lost with a moment of silence. We hope that you can stop and take a moment to reflect as well.
Remember the 49. Remember their names.
Stanley Almodovar III, Amanda L. Alvear, Oscar A. Aracena Montero, Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, Antonio Davon Brown, Darryl Roman Burt II, Angel Candelario-Padro, Juan Chavez Martinez, Luis Daniel Conde, Cory James Connell, Tevin Eugene Crosby, Deonka Deidra 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, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, Brenda Marquez McCool, Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, Kimberly Jean Morris, Akyra Monet Murray, Luis Omar Ocasio Capo, Geraldo A. Ortiz Jimenez, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Joel Rayon Paniagua, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Enrique L. Rios, Jr., Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez, Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado, Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, Edward Sotomayor Jr., Shane Evan Tomlinson, Martin Benitez Torres, Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez, Luis Sergio Vielma, Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Jerald Arthur Wright
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