As we celebrate Pride this year, we’re also calling on everyone to remember the horrific impact gun violence has had on the community. We’re using today as a reminder to connect deeply and intentionally with the communities most heavily affected year-round, not just on a specific month. It goes without saying that gun violence is a terrible, horrific epidemic in our country. The stop gap and perceived controversy seems to always be about the solution. Today we aren’t calling on the solution. Instead, we’re asking that you take some time to reflect on the catastrophic consequences irresponsible gun usage has on innocent lives.
On June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando became the site of one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. At around 2 a.m., a gunman entered the gay nightclub, armed with an assault rifle and a handgun, opened fire – consequently killing 49 and leaving 53 wounded.
The Pulse mass shooting was not just an act of terror, but a hate and bias-motivated crime targeting the gender and sexual minority community. The aftermath of the attack left a lot of us in a state of mourning and understandably sparked a renewed call for gun violence prevention as well as stronger protections for marginalized communities. The fact is, the impact of this violence extends far beyond the immediate victims, instilling fear and anxiety within the broader community.
It’s well documented that deep-seated prejudice and hate crimes are alarmingly common. According to data from the FBI, hate crimes based on sexual orientation consistently rank among the most frequently reported bias-motivated offenses. In 2022, hate based crimes accounted for 16.77% of all reported hate crimes. Additionally, crimes based on gender identity comprised 4.04% of reported incidents. That translates to sexual/gender minority groups being 2.7 times more likely to be victims of a violent crime compared to those who aren’t in those communities.
Hate and bias has no place in our culture. When we add a gun to the mix, it gives terrible people unfettered access to quickly steal and ruin lives.
For Pride we’re asking you to remember the names of the people we’ve lost to hate based violence. A moment of silence and contemplation to the individuals who were bravely being themselves only to be stolen from the the world because of that single fact.
We Remember the Pulse Nightclub Victims
| Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Amanda L. Alvear, 25 years old Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26 years old Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 years old Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old Angel Candelario-Padro, 28 years old Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 years old Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old Cory James Connell, 21 years old Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández, 31 years old Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22 years old Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old Frank Hernandez, 27 years old Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old Javier Jorge Reyes, 40 years old Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 years old Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old |
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Brenda Marquez McCool, 49 years old Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25 years old Kimberly Jean Morris, 37 years old Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old Luis Omar Ocasio Capo, 20 years old Geraldo A. Ortiz Jimenez, 25 years old Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez, 27 years old Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado, 35 years old Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, 24 years old Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24 years old Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez, 37 years old Luis Sergio Vielma, 22 years old Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez, 50 years old Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old |