The Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting took a toll on Americans everywhere on June 12, 2016. For some, it hit closer to home more than others.
Although this pain and suffering will never quite be lifted from our hearts, instead of the country dividing, there has been an increasing and overwhelming outpouring of love and support among Americans.
Here are just some instances where I am proud and inspired by the strength and unity among all different communities:
“Chicago man makes cross memorial honoring Orlando shooting victims”
Greg Zanis, a 65-year-old man about to retire, went to Orlando Health and one by one in the sweltering heat, he lined crosses on the grass for each victim lost. Each cross has a red heart attached to it. Zanis said, “I’m here to hope to change the message and my new message is love your neighbor, love your brother.” Read more here.
“Tattoos for charity to benefit Orlando shooting victims”
25-year-old tattoo artist from Gainesville, Caroline Phillpot, is offering a rainbow heart tattoo with the words “Love Conquers Hate” for $50. As a peace advocate and bisexual mother, Phillpot hopes these tattoos will remind people that love and compassion is the answer. Half of the donations will be going to a GoFundMe page created by Equality Florida; Phillpot hopes to raise $1,000. For the location of the shop, click here.
“Suburban gay bar mourns, raises fund for Orlando victims”
The largest gay bar in the Chicago suburbs, Phoenix Bar and Nightclub, paid tribute to the victims with 49 candles on stage and is also contributing to the Equality Florida GoFundMe page. The bar staff is buying memorial T-shirts to wear during the Chicago Pride Parade on June 26 that is donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the victims of the shooting. General Manager, and my friend, Russ Eplin says, “Clubs are supposed to be a safe haven. We want to make sure we keep it that way.”
“These Orlando shooting heroes prove people are fundamentally good”
This article from The Washington Post lists those who carried out actions to save lives during the attack and also those who helped during the aftermath and continue to do so. To see these heroes’ acts and ways you can help, follow this link.
“Even In The Face Of Hate, These Queer Couples Vow To Keep Kissing”
HuffPost Queer Voices launched the hashtag #KeepKissing after allegations the shooter Omar Mateen was motivated to carry out the Pulse Nightclub attack after witnessing two men kissing. View the touching and inspiring video and photos here.
Tattoo in Remembrance of the Orlando shooting victims
Elijah Daniel, Twitter name @aguywithnolife, tweeted a picture of his tattoo in honor of the victims of the shooting. Daniels says, “This is my new tattoo, technically 49 tattoos. 49 blocks of color to make up a rainbow. One block of color for each person slaughtered in the Orlando attack. This tattoo will be a reminder…” To see his tattoo and the rest of his powerful meaning behind it, click here.
These are only a few of the many, many tributes and acts of kindness going around the country to pay respect and bring us together at an attempt to tear us apart. As I constantly find myself questioning the hatred in people’s hearts, I am also reminded of the strength and courage of so many trying to make this world a better place. We will not give up.
