I don’t care that this isn’t fashion I don’t care that I may lose followers over this This is something that I will never stop caring about Love. Is. Love. And we don’t get to choose who we love. Love is blind, to everything! Race, gender, religion. Discrimination and hate is a disease to human kind that spreads like wild fire. So many minorities don’t know the meaning of the word acceptance. Even though gay marriage was legalized, that doesn’t mean that things are perfect for LGBT+ people. The law might finally be on our side in that one aspect but people’s refusal to accept that some people love differently than others means that for a lot of us, for a lot of LGBT+ individuals, we do not know the meaning of the word acceptance. No human should ever be treated this way for things they can not control. 50 people DIED and 53 people were INJURED because of someone’s refusal to accept. To try to understand. The amount of hatred in this world towards LGBT+ individuals and other minorities is saddening. Even if you are religious, even if you don’t “agree” with LGBT+ people and their “lifestyle” (even though I hate it when people call it a lifestyle) hopefully you can recognize that those 50 people didn’t have to die. Even if you don’t believe in God hopefully you recognize that Orlando needs support. Pulse needs support. LGBT+ individuals need support. This will never stop being important to me. Stand up for what you believe in, and I believe that there will come a day when people can look past such things as sexuality. Where we don’t judge others for something we can not control. I’ve never been too religious but I’m praying for Orlando because Orlando needs the support, the LGBT+ people needs support.
I drew this piece to commemorate those massacred in the Orlando Pulse Nightclub.
6 bars of blue & 12 golden bars comprise the sea & sky, signifying June 12th. The silhouette flock of 49 flamingos represents the number of loved ones killed.
I chose the flamingo for their long association with Florida – admired for their flamboyant displays & vibrant beauty – but more so, for their name derived from the mythical fiery phoenix.
The central figure soars upward to contrast the sunset as a symbol of hope renewal & celebration of life, to embody the perseverance of the queer community, rising from ashes in defiance of injustice and in the quest for human rights.
hello, folks! you may be wondering, “a year later, what else can I do to support the LGBTQ community in orlando?” well, here is a good list of organizations that you should consider donating to! convenient and easy, right? so, go for it! support our community, donate blood in rememberance if you can, and please be kind to one another. we are so much more than the hate in this world. we are Orlando Strong
it was at this same time of night three years ago that the pulse massacre took place in orlando, so please take some time today to remember and mourn for the 49 primarily latine lgbt people who were murdered that night. And don’t let anyone brush aside the fact that one of the deadliest mass shootings in american history was against the gay community
Forty-nine people were killed at the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, and it was not only the deadliest violent act against LGBT people in U.S. history, but was also the nation’s worst terrorist attack since 9/11 and the country’s worst mass shooting in history. Learn more about Orlando and the other 15 places that were vital parts of the election here.
In memory of every stolen life—casualties of our current state of disconnect from one another.
Your energy will never be in vain.
The People are awakening, becoming more aware of their ability to shift reality as we experience it.
Balance will be restored, and peace will take precedence.
The light in our hearts and our resilient spirits will guide us, as we continue to ascend from our current, dysfunctional system.
Though we will experience chaos in the process, it will not destroy us.
And, last…
Unconditional love—self love, love for thy neighbors, and all things existing—is the most revolutionary decision you can make, and a crucial part of this whole process.
on this day in 2016, a man walked into Pulse, a gay nightclub in orlando FL, and killed 49 people. it was latin night at the club, and the majority of victims were latine. it was labeled the deadliest terrorist attack in the US since 9/11. i remember seeing it on the news a year after it happened, since i was too young to have recognized the tragedy at the time. they played back the reports of the news and i sobbed alone on my couch.
florida is currently seeing a disturbing uptick in anti-lgbt legislation. our surgeon general is attempting to restrict any and all access to gender affirming care for minors. i am speaking as a floridian trans teen who has witnessed homophobic and transphobic violence firsthand. dozens and dozens of trans people, primarily black trans women, have been murdered in florida since 2015. the numbers keep rising. the violence and the mass fear mongering is not stopping. it is picking up speed.
i don’t know what i’m asking for here. i suppose i’m asking, begging, for people who don’t live in florida (especially those who aren’t in the south) to keep your eyes open. keep us in your thoughts. keep circulating news and going to protests. talk to organizers about what you can do to help. but today specifically, remember the 49 beautiful, brave, and loved members of our community that were taken from us. give us our roses while we are still here.
On this day, be sad. Be angry. But be grateful that you have a life to live. And change doesn’t come easy. Those who hate will fight tooth and nail so they can continue to hate. We must do the same for love. We must live. And remember the ones we lost.
