About two weeks ago, our nation suffered the deadliest mass shooting in history, not only in United States history, but also in the LGBTQ+ community. The shooting in Orlando was also the biggest act of terrorism against the United States since 9/11. The results of this act of hate are 49 invaluable souls lost, many more injured, and a mourning nation.
I find that a lot of the times, much like this one, that the media focuses on the gunman or the reasons behind the event. It does not focus on the lives that were lost, which is, what I feel, the most important part of the tragedy. Human lives were lost. Families and friends are heartbroken. But the media humanizes the gunman and makes that the focus.
Stanley Almodovar III, 23. Amanda Alvear, 25. Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26. Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33. Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21. Martin Benitez Torres, 33. Antonio D. Brown, 30. Darryl R. Burt II, 29. Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24. Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28. Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31. Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25. Luis D. Conde, 39. Cory J. Connell, 21. Tevin E. Crosby, 25. Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, 50. Deonka D. Drayton, 32. Mercedez M. Flores, 26. Juan R. Guerrero, 22. Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22. Paul T. Henry, 41. Frank Hernandez, 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. Mendez Perez, 35. Akyra Monet Murray, 18. Kimberly Morris, 37. Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27. Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20. Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25. Eric I. Ortiz-Rivera, 36. Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32. Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25. Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37. Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24. Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24. Xavier E. Serrano Rosado, 35. Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25. Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34. Shane E. Tomlinson, 33. Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25. Luis S. Vielma, 22. Luis D. Wilson-Leon, 37. Jerald A. Wright, 31.
The multitude of this tragic event has brought the world together supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The Eiffel Tower in Paris and the White House in DC were both shining in a rainbow of colors showing their consolation. In countries such as Russia and Thailand, the U.S Embassies have been flooded with flowers, flags, candles, and people showing their support and mourning the lives lost. You can see a more complete list of world support here.
Stateside, the support and love is more prevalent than ever. Celebrities such as Adele, Lady Gaga, and J. K. Rowling have been vocal about their feelings following the shooting. Both MLS and NWSL Orlando soccer teams stopped their games last week at the 49th minute to honor those lost. They also added #OrlandoUnited patches to their jerseys, along with some players wearing rainbow wristbands and even rainbow cleats. This is just one of the many ways that our nation has come together to mourn the lives lost in Orlando and support the LGBTQ+ community.
The shooting occurred in the early hours of June 12, 2016, and later that day, were the Tony Awards. It would be impossible to continue on with this event without acknowledging that morning’s events. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the "Hamilton" creator and star, was accepting the award for Best Original Score, and in his acceptance speech he recited a sonnet he had written in lieu of the events earlier that morning.
My wife's the reason anything gets done
She nudges me towards promise by degrees
She is a perfect symphony of one
Our son is her most beautiful reprise
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they're finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day
This show is proof that history remembers
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger
We rise and fall and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love last longer
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
Cannot be killed or swept aside
I sing Vanessa's symphony, Eliza tells her story
Now fill the world with music, love and pride
Love conquers all hate. Now let’s follow Miranda’s lead and fill the world with music, love, and pride.
