[link removed] [[link removed]]
Content warning: This email reflects on the events at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016. If this is too much to read, we understand. Take care of yourself and skip the rest of this email. Here are some mental health resources that you may find helpful. [[link removed]]
John,
Today marks eight years since the tragic mass shooting at Pulse — a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine people were killed, and fifty-three more were injured.
At the time, this was the largest mass shooting in US history and the worst terrorist attack since 9/11. It remains the nation’s deadliest act of violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
The shooting at Pulse was a hate crime enabled by loose gun laws and a national climate of bigotry perpetuated by far-right leaders. Eight years later, extremist ideology and legislation are still putting LGBTQ+ folks in danger.
The truth is, gun violence is an LGBTQ+ rights issue (and vice versa). When guns fall into the hands of people filled with hatred and bigotry, it’s a deadly combination. And, more than half of all gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides, and young LGBTQ+ people are over four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
The LGTBQ+ community has fought tirelessly for the simple right to live in today’s society. The freedom to exist without discrimination, queerphobia, and transphobia goes hand in hand with the freedom not to get shot.
During Pride Month, we celebrate how much progress we've made. But this attack eight years ago stole that joy from Orlando. We're reminded of how much work remains to be done. But we will not be deterred. We will fight on for a world free of gun violence, and free of bigotry and hatred.
We cannot know true liberation and safety until gun violence is eradicated.
That’s why we continue onwards, John. Gun violence and hate have no place in America. We fight for Pulse and all victims lost to violence and hatred in our country.
In solidarity,
March For Our Lives
Today and every day we honor the lives lost at Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016.
Stanley Almodóvar III, 23
Amanda Alvear, 25
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Alejandro Barrios Martínez, 21
Martin Benítez Torres, 33
Antonio D. Brown, 30
Darryl R. Burt II, 29
Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24
Ángel L. Candelario-Padró, 28
Simón A. Carrillo Fernández, 31
Juan Chavez-Martinez, 25
Luis D. Conde, 39
Cory J. Connell, 21
Tevin E. Crosby, 25
Franky J. Dejesus Velázquez, 50
Deonka D. Drayton, 32
Mercedez M. Flores, 26
Peter O. González-Cruz, 22
Juan R. Guerrero, 22
Paul T. Henry, 41
Frank Hernández, 27
Miguel A. Honorato, 30
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Jason B. Josaphat, 19
Eddie J. Justice, 30
Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25
Christopher A. Leinonen, 32
Brenda L. Marquez McCool, 49
Jean C. Méndez Pérez, 35
Akyra Monet Murray, 18
Kimberly Morris, 37
Jean C. Nieves Rodríguez, 27
Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Joel Rayón Paniagua, 31
Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
Juan P. Rivera Velázquez, 37
Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, 24
Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Gilberto Ramón Silva Menéndez, 25
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Shane E. Tomlinson, 33
Leroy Valentin Fernández, 25
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis Daniel Wilson-León, 37
Jerald A. Wright, 31
Donate Now [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] Paid for by March for Our Lives
March For Our Lives
P.O. Box 3417
New York, NY 10008
United States
Receive Fewer Emails [[link removed]]
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .