Photo from the front of Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida
Posted on by Randy Slovacek

On The 8th Anniversary Of The Pulse Nightclub Massacre

Eight years ago today, 49 innocent people lost their lives in the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in U.S. history. Additionally, 53 more were injured. On that night, a gay nightclub, one of our safe spaces, became a war zone and an emergency room.

One of the most chilling reports to emerge during the aftermath of the attack came from CNN, which noted that first responders and investigators had to force themselves to tune out the cacophony of ringing phones coming from the 49 bodies. Clearly, their loved ones were trying to see if they were alright. “All those people, their phones kept ringing,” said the reporter. I remember that grim detail hitting me like a dagger. Since the Pulse shooting, there have been more mass shootings and more unnecessary deaths. And still, we wait for any meaningful gun legislation.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and LGBTQ Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes issued the following statement on the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting:

“Eight years ago today, we witnessed the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in American history. Forty-nine innocent lives, some as young as 19, were cut short in the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida.

“This Pride month, as we celebrate love, equality, and inclusion, this anniversary reminds us of the work left to ensure all LGBTQ+ Americans can live their lives without fear of harassment, discrimination, and violence.

“In the years since this tragic attack, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have championed LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms while ensuring everyone can safely love who they love and be who they are. Under President Biden’s leadership, we passed the Respect For Marriage Act and expanded anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans in health care.

“Democrats also passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first significant piece of federal gun safety legislation in three decades, which strengthened background check requirements, narrowed the “boyfriend loophole,” and made significant investments in mental health.

“Despite decades of senseless gun violence, MAGA Republicans continue to follow Trump’s lead, bow down to the NRA, and block meaningful action that could help prevent another tragedy. Rather than pass common sense gun reform, extreme Republicans would rather put their energy into passing anti-LGBTQ+ laws and erasing LGTBQ+ history.

“Enough is enough. It’s time for MAGA Republicans to come to the table and protect the lives of all Americans, regardless of gender and sexuality, from hateful acts of violence.

“This November, the choice is clear. There is only one candidate who will fight for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ Americans and fight to end gun violence — and that is President Joe Biden.”

The 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting
Eight years later, we remember: 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

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