LGBTQ Compassion in Action

RWF is the world's first and only all-volunteer, LGBTQ- based humanitarian aid organization. Our mission is to promote peace, unity and hope by leading the LGBTQ movement in participating in humanitarian relief efforts. RWF has donated over $4.1 million of life saving aid.

Donate today by Credit card or Paypal or send your check to 4111 - 18th Street, Suite 5, San Francisco, CA 94114.  Your donations are 100% tax deductible.
 
Dear Friends,

One year ago today a gunman armed with two semi-automatic assault rifles entered Orlando's Pulse nightclub on Latin night and opened fire on the LGBTQ community. 49 people were killed. 58 people were injured and many others who were trapped in the nightclub during the three-hour rampage were traumatized. It was both the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter and the deadliest act of violence against LGBTQ people in U.S. history.
 
Pulse Nightclub Shooting - One Year Anniversary 

Memorial at Pulse nightclub in Orlando

This past year has been one of unimaginable grief and mourning for many in our community, their friends and families. The outpouring of love and support from our community and allies has been beautiful to witness and be a part of. RWF supporters contributed donations to the survivor fund and RWF had the privilege of hosting several of the survivors when they visited San Francisco in December. This tragedy mobilized many of us to get involved in fighting the problem of gun violence and has reminded us of the deep-seated animosity towards minorities that permeates our social fabric.

The Orlando shooting was not an isolated event. LGBTQ people are the primary target of hate related crimes in the U.S. Our youth experience bullying and harassment at school on a daily basis, and transgender people are regular targets of violence and discrimination, often treated in the most dehumanizing ways. Internationally, most LGBTQ people have few to no legal protections and their very survival is at risk each day.

In solidarity with the victims and survivors in Orlando.    

This one year anniversary reminds us that our community will never be the same.
We must not let these attacks on our community break us but instead let them bring us together to comfort, support and inspire one another. We continue to face many challenges including a political administration in Washington, DC that grows ever more hostile towards our community. LGBTQ Pride month is a powerful reminder to take heart, come together, remember and celebrate the many civil rights victories that our community has achieved.
Going forward please be loud, be unapologetic in our quest for justice, volunteer, be compassionate and love one another.

Tomorrow and throughout the month there will be vigils and rallies to honor the victims and survivors on the Pulse shooting. Please joined us in San Francisco on June 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the corner of 18th and Market streets. Here is a list of similar events in the U.S.      
 
RWF memorial to Pulse victims and survivors in the Castro. 

Please also visit the Pulse memorial that RWF created in the shop window at 2327 Market Street in San Francisco. The memorial features an original art work - Art of Orlando - created by Chicago artist Jeff Conway. The memorial will be up for the month of June. 

July 16: Join Team RWF at AIDS Walk SF 

RWF is participating in this year's San Francisco AIDS Walk on Sunday, July 16. Please join Team RWF or support our team with a donarion and put your compassion into action! Starting and ending in Golden Gate Park, the AIDS Walk is a 10K fundraising walk to help us raise money benefitting more than 40 Bay Area AIDS service organizations. Even if you cannot walk on the actual date, you can still be a virtual walker. 100% of the funds we raise will go to support programs that help people with HIV/AIDS.

Team RWF at AIDS Walk SF 2016.  
   
 
In solidarity,    


J eff Cotter,
Executive Director