It’s Been Two Years Since the Pulse Nightclub Shooting. Survivors Still Need Help.
It’s been two years since 49 people were viciously killed at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, which at the time was ranked as the deadliest mass shooting in modern history. That tragic record would be shattered only 16 months later in Las Vegas. But as people gather Tuesday to mark the 2-year anniversary of the Orlando shooting, they’re pointedly eschewing the promises of “thoughts and prayers” that often come in the wake of similar tragedies. The theme behind the rallies and demonstrations is “Honor Them With Action.” And by blending the messages of anti-gun violence campaigns and LGBTQ+ rights for Pride month, activists are providing a variety of ways for people to get involved.
Action level: Happening TODAY
Here's how you can get involved, from the smallest amount of effort to pounding the pavement in demand of change.
Promise to #SayTheirNames.
Support victims, survivors and their families
Human Rights Campaign has a portal available to send a note of support to the families of the victims.
Many are still struggling with trauma from the massacre. Just last week, a group of survivors and several estates of those who died filed a lawsuit against the police and city of Orlando for failing to intervene with the shooter sooner. A separate lawsuit filed earlier this year targeted Twitter, Facebook and Google for providing “material support” in terrorist activities related to the shooting.
Join the conversation
Follow the hashtags #Pulse and #HonorThemWithAction. #PulseUntold also promises to share the stories of survivors as they reflect on the last two years.
Find causes that honor the victims
OneOrlando served as the major official fund honoring the victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting. In total, the fund was able to disperse $31,665,931.82, the majority of which went to the families of those who died.
The OneOrlando Fund officially closed last year, but in its place, two partnering organizations emerged: the Contigo Fund, which advocates for the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities; and the Better Together Fund, which focuses on the gaps in social service support for the victims and survivors of the Orlando shooting.
The Honor Them With Action Fund is another spin-off donation pool set up in honor of the victims. That funding group, Equity Florida, now uses donations to fight intolerance and bullying in classrooms on the behalf of LGBTQ+ youth.
