We will not forget.
On June 12, 2016, 49 people were killed and 53 were wounded at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the deadliest act of violence against LGBTQ+ people in the history of the United States. Today we remember and honor the dead, their families and friends, and all those affected by this horrible tragedy.
This seven-year anniversary is a stark reminder of the ongoing discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people, that sadly happened again with the Club Q mass shooting in November 2022, and continues with the spread of anti-trans bills in legislatures across the US. In the past three years almost 1000 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced by radical right-wing US politicians, almost 500 in the first half of 2023 alone. These attempts at restricting rights and legislating hate are definitely related to the high rate of violence experienced by trans youth, trans women, and LGBTQ+ people every day.
LGBTQ+ people deserve safety, respect, and equality. As a community, let us continue to work together against hatred and discrimination in all its forms, towards a world where inclusivity, acceptance, and equity are the norm. We can do this by living our lives proudly, gaining strength by coming together and caring for each other, and striving to inspire and support every member of the LGBTQ+ community.
We will not forget. We will not disappear.
Resources:
- Lambda Legal advocates for the legal rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV. They provide resources, legal support, and advocacy efforts towards equal rights: lambdalegal.org
- The National Center for Transgender Equality is dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people in the United States. They provide resources, policy updates, and tools for trans individuals and allies: transequality.org
- The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth. They offer a 24/7 helpline, online chat, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis: thetrevorproject.org