Introduction
Unfortunately as you may already be aware, the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination, hate and violence around the world on a regular basis. Severe homophobic actions have led to some catastrophic events over the years, most noticeably the 49 lives lost on the 12th of June 2016 at the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
What was Pulse nightclub?
Pulse was a gay bar, dance club and nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The venue was founded back in 2014 by Barbara Poma and Ron Legler. Pulse was well known for hosting themed performances each night with monthly programs which featured educational events towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Pulse offered something different every night whilst having some very impressive drag shows. Due to having three main areas, Pulse was often known as three nightclubs all in one with it being herald as “ultramodern”.
What happened at Pulse nightclub?
On the 12th of June 2016, Pulse nightclub was the scene of the second worst mass shooting by a single shooter in US history whilst being the second deadliest terrorist attack on US soil since the events of September 11th with 49 people being killed and another 53 people injured from the shooting.
The night of the shooting, Pulse nightclub was celebrating Latin Night, one of the clubs many themed nights that attracted hundreds of people. The club was full of people from all around the world in which was supposed to be a fun and celebratory night which soon became a nightmare after Orlando police first received reports of shots being fired at 02:02.
The shooting saw around three hours of fighting, negotiation talks and violence which finally came to an end after SWAT accompanied by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Device Team began breaching bathroom walls to clear way for an entry. When the walls began to fall, hostages emerged alongside the shooter now known as Omar Mir Seddique Mateen. After firing at police, Mateen was shot dead at the scene shortly after with police reporting the shooter to be down at 05:15.
What happened to Pulse nightclub?
In November 2016, the city of Orlando agreed to purchase Pulse nightclub for $2.25 million with the Mayor Buddy Dyer expressing their plans to convert the nightclub into a memorial to honour the memory of the victims.
A month after the purchase offer, the owner Barbara Poma refused to sell the nightclub but instead later announced in May 2017 the creation of onePULSE Foundation which independently funded a Pulse Memorial and Museum marked to open this year in 2022.
What is Pulse Remembrance Day?
Each year on the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting (12th of June), people around the world observe Pulse Remembrance Day. The day is to reflect and pay tribute to the innocent who lost their lives and the hundreds affected by the events of that night.
How can I observe Pulse Remembrance Day?
There’s no set way to observe Pulse Remembrance Day however many observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to the 49 innocent lives that were unfortunately lost alongside the many affected by the events that took place on the 12th of June 2016. The date is a time to reflect on the night and pay tribute in any way you feel comfortable.