Love Will Win: Honoring Orlando

Our hearts are broken. 49 people have lost their lives in a senseless act of violence, and 49 people will never have the chance to share their gifts, talents, joys and passions with the world.

Our hope is that in life, those we lost felt the love of their friends, family and their community. That in the short time they walked among us, they saw hope, felt joy; and that they loved genuinely and bravely.

No matter where you were on Sunday, emerging news of the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida lit up our phones and TV screens, bringing with it the sinking feeling of grief and devastation. As the sun set across cities around the world, thousands of heartbroken people gathered at vigils to share comfort and stand in solidarity for those who fell victim to the horrors of hate.

And as the days, weeks and months move forward, we will continue to honor each life that has been taken, as well as those who were injured, and continue to stand strong as the Pulse becomes memorialized as a site of both darkness and strength—just like the Stonewall Inn and Admiral Duncan Pub before it. We will never forget. We will continue the fight for justice and equality for the LGBTQ2+ community, and we will demand, once and for all, immediate and strong gun control in the U.S. as this issue once again rises to the forefront of our minds in the wake of this horrifying massacre.

It’s time to take action—to honor all of those affected by Sunday’s tragedy by unifying our voices and making us stronger together. We believe that we can make a difference by working with those striving for equality and safety. Our voices will be heard.

Share your thoughts, love and support using #weareorlando to join the conversation.

Learn more about what you can do by joining our allies at AllOut who strive every day for equality and safety for LGBTQ2+ people and communities all around the world. Visit www.weareorlando.org for more information on events and ways to support in the wake of this attack on the LGBTQ2+ community and our nation's largest mass shooting in history.

 

Our hearts might be broken, but our passion for change and equality is stronger than ever, because we believe that love will always conquer hate.

xoxo,
Lush