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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.
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In solidarity with the victims and survivors in Orlando.
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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.