06/12/2026
Ten years ago, just across county lines in Orlando, 49 people were murdered, and 58 others were wounded in the Pulse nightclub shooting. At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Pulse was more than a nightclub. It was a place where LGBTQ+ people could gather, celebrate, and simply be themselves.
The impact of that night extended far beyond the walls of Pulse. Families lost loved ones. Friends lost friends. Survivors carry physical and emotional scars. Entire communities were forever changed.
When people ask, "Why do we need Pride?" this is one of many reasons why.
Pride is not just a celebration. It is a remembrance of those we have lost, a recognition of the struggles LGBTQ+ people have faced, and a declaration that everyone deserves to live openly, safely, and authentically. Pride exists because LGBTQ+ people have too often been told to hide who they are, denied equal rights, or targeted simply for being themselves.
In the years since the shooting, the State of Florida painted over the rainbow crosswalk that served as a memorial to those lost. Yet thanks to community members who refuse to let their memories fade, that crosswalk continues to be re-chalked. Day after day, in the heat, in the rain, and through every challenge. Their dedication is a reminder that remembrance is an act of love and resistance.
People should be free to love who they love, express who they are, and live without fear of violence or discrimination.
To our LGBTQ+ community: you are loved, you belong, and you matter. Your lives, your stories, and your joy are worth celebrating.
As we mark ten years since Pulse and celebrate Pride Month, we honor those who were taken from us, support those who survived, and recommit ourselves to building a world where everyone can live openly and safely.
Love is love. Pride is resilience. We remember Pulse. We will not forget. 🏳️🌈
