QMUNITY marks the Pulse massacre June 12th

June 9, 2017

June 12th, 2016 saw our communities rocked by the Pulse massacre that took the lives of 49 victims, the vast majority of whom were LGBTQ and Latinx.

Shock and horror turned to grief and anger, and a deep resilience emerged from survivors, the victims’ loved ones, Orlando residents, and LGBTQ/2S people and our allies around the world.  

Vigils were held, including in Vancouver and other municipalities in British Columbia, and those affected were supported, as LGBTQ/2S community groups, cities, towns, faith communities, families and friends stood with and shared in their grief.

As the one year mark approaches, QMUNITY invites you to take pause.

The massacre was the result of racism, transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia. We cannot separate the various identities of those at the Pulse Nightclub, just as we cannot separate the lived experiences of queer and trans folk here in British Columbia. One informs the other.  

We must ensure that the lasting memorial is the change of uprooting racist and anti-LGBTQ/2S hatred, discrimination and violence in our communities.

It’s not enough to mourn the loss and celebrate the resiliency. It’s not enough to celebrate that many of us came together to mourn those whose lives were taken. The Pulse massacre can’t just be another tragedy.

At 6:00p.m. on June 12th, 2017 listen as the bells of Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver ring 49 times to mark the 49 lives taken.

#HonorThemWithAction #PulseOrlando