Honor the victims and survivors of Pulse.
John–
My best friend Drew and I loved going to Pulse nightclub together during college. It was a place for us to dance and feel unabashedly ourselves.
Five years ago today, Drew's life was stolen from us, along with 48 other people who were shot and killed at Pulse. The LGBTQIA+ and Latinx communities were violently attacked in an act of gun violence fueled by hate.
That's why today, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund is joining with a coalition of partners—including QLatinx, The LGBT+ Center Orlando, the OnePulse Foundation, Equality Florida, Equality Federation Institute, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation—to reflect on the progress that has been made since the Pulse shooting, hold a moment of silence for the victims and survivors, and recommit to fighting for a safer, more equitable world.
Join us on the five-year-mark of Pulse in honoring the victims and survivors by taking part in these actions:
John, as a movement, we must be committed to uprooting the hatred displayed five years ago. Drew's death reminded me of the hate in this world, and made it tragically clear that when hate comes armed with a gun, it becomes more intimidating, more terrifying, and—too often—more deadly.
But we also must do more than disarm hate. Drew's desire for inclusion and unity encouraged me to do more for my fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community, for people of color, for members of religious minorities, and others. On the five year mark of his death, I'm reminded of why we must work to come together, support communities disproportionately affected by gun violence, and demand action that can help save lives.
On the five-year-mark of the shooting at Pulse, please join me in honoring the victims and survivors.
Thank you for being a part of this movement, and thank you for helping me honor the life of my best friend.
Sara Grossman
Everytown Survivor Network
P.S. As a part of the coalition's efforts, allies have signed on to a Commitment to Solidarity and Action to honor Pulse and the LGBTQIA+ and Latinx Communities. Read the letter and see who has made the commitment.
