06/13/2026
June 12th, 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. This was an event that created lasting devastation among the LGBTQ+ community and family members of the victims. That night in 2016, a man opened fire inside the LGBTQ+ nightclub with 300 people in attendance. 58 people were wounded and 49 people devastatingly lost their lives. Everyone that was present and still alive holds the trauma of their survival heavy in their hearts. The aftermath of the shooting generated a huge public support movement to help in any way they could: blood banks were overrun by donors, and fundraising campaigns were flooded to help out with medical costs and funeral expenses of the victims. The community mourned, held vigils, and created advocacy projects to work towards a future where this type of tragedy would never happen.
Even today, after a decade, blood drives are being held, people are honoring those lost in silence at vigils, fundraisers are underway, art displays are put up, and remembrance ceremonies are being attended out of the love for the community. The impact of this day has forever changed our activism, our connection to community, and how we approach the bigotry and violence forced against us.
We mourn our fallen siblings, we serve those who need it the most, and we dedicate our commitment of a just, equitable society to the survivors and family members who still face long-lasting struggles.
