Pulse Night of Remembrance is an annual commemoration day held in the U.S. on June 12 every year. On this day in 2016, a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killed 49 people and injured 53 others. On this particular day, Pulse was presenting “Latin Night,” a weekly Saturday night event predominantly attended by Latinos. About 320 people were still inside the club, which was serving last-call drinks at around 2:00 a.m. when the horrific incident occurred.
History of Pulse Night of Remembrance
Right after he started shooting, Omar Mateen, the perpetrator, vowed his allegiance to the commander of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in a 9-1-1 call. He blamed the US assassination of Abu Waheeb in Iraq the previous month as the reason behind the shooting. FBI investigators classified the incident as a terrorist act.The majority of the casualties were Latino, as Pulse was celebrating a “Latin Night.” It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history until the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. It was also the deadliest terrorist attack in the US since the September 11 attacks in 2001. Assaults on gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people are all part of the history of violence against L.G.B.T.Q. people in the U.S. Those who are subjected to such abuse are thought to be breaking heteronormative conventions and going against gender and sexual role expectations.Given the length of time that the attacks have occurred, the violence that has occurred in the L.G.B.T.Q. community has a long and gruesome history. There have been many more allegations and incidents of violence against L.G.B.T.Q. individuals in the U.S. since the 1969 Stonewall riots over one of the many police raids on homosexual bars. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an arsonist set fire to the leased building by SisTers PGH, a transgender assistance center led by black and transgender people.
Pulse Night of Remembrance timeline
Barbara Poma opens Pulse nightclub in commemoration of her brother John, who died of AIDS in 1991.
A lone gunman opens fire at Pulse Nightclub at 2:02 A.M., killing 49 people and wounding others.
The OnePulse Foundation is set up in remembrance of the shooting incident.
Congress designates the Pulse nightclub site as a national memorial for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
Pulse Night of Remembrance FAQs
How old was Omar Mateen?
He was 29 years of age.
Were the victims' families compensated?
Yes, they were compensated.
When did the National Pulse Memorial and Museum open?
The pulse memorial opened in 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
How to Observe Pulse Night of Remembrance
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Visit the temporary memorial ground
To honor the lives of the victims of the Pulse terrorist attack, you can visit the memorial site. Buy a bouquet of flowers and pay your respect to the innocent lives lost.
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Spread the word
Use your platform to spread the word against hate crimes and terrorist attacks. Use the hashtag #onepulse in your posts, pictures, and videos, and implore others to do the same.
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Visit the OnePulse Foundation website
Learn how you can be of assistance by visiting the one pulse foundation website. Make donations if you can, to support the cause
5 Sad Facts That Are A Reality For L.G.B.T.Q.’s
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They face unfair treatment
One out of four L.G.B.T.Q. people has received unfair treatment, causing them to make obvious changes to their daily life.
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Discrimination by health workers
Almost one-quarter of L.G.B.T.Q. people have witnessed healthcare workers making discriminatory statements against them.
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Trans-related healthcare
When it comes to transition-related healthcare, 90% of trans persons face delays.
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Fears regarding coming out
Only half of the L.G.B.T.Q. community believes they can be honest about their sexual orientation or gender identity with their entire family.
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Percentage of domestic abuse
In recent years, more than one out of every 10 L.G.B.T.Q. people has experienced domestic abuse from a partner.
Why Pulse Night of Remembrance is Important
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It honors the victims
The pulse night of remembrance honors the memory of the victims of the terrorist attack. Every year the victims are honored and their families are sympathized with.
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It creates awareness
Hate and terrorist crimes happen more often than we think. This day draws awareness to such horrendous occasions and teaches us the importance of compassion regardless of race, religion, or gender.
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It brings people together
This day brings together the Orlando community and those who were affected by the catastrophe. It allows them to form a protective circle around the families of the victims, offering assistance, support, and encouragement.
Pulse Night of Remembrance dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 12 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | July 12 | Friday |
| 2025 | July 12 | Saturday |
| 2026 | July 12 | Sunday |
| 2027 | July 12 | Monday |
