MPAS’ LGBTQ Initiative commemorates victims of Pulse shooting

Tamica Jean-Charles/Entertainment Director

Printed in all-caps, “FIU Remembers Pulse 49” sat centered on a Pride flag, with a rainbow heart monitor running underneath. Forty-nine candles illuminated the circumference of the flag, creating a soft frame around the smaller poster. Soft music played in the background as members of the FIU community lit candles in the Graham Center pit to commemorate those who tragically lost their lives that fateful night.

Hosted by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Initiative of the University’s Multicultural Programs and Services, the event aimed to honor those who tragically lost their lives during one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.

“The point of us doing this today is to bring awareness that the LGBTQ community is still facing issues,” said Leana Lorenzo, intern at the LGBTQ Initiative and MPAS.

Two years ago this day, a gunman walked into Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL, killing 49 and injuring 68 of its attendees before killing himself.

Event attendees held a moment of silence, followed by a video from the Human Rights Campaign.

The colors of the message board notes resembled the colors on the Pride flag.

Larry Lunsford, vice president of student affairs, kicked off the ceremony, delving in on tolerance, especially among those in the LGBTQ community, and denounced violent acts of terror.  

This tragedy does not only impact the LGBT community, but also human rights as well, said Lunsford.

Individuals were welcome to light a candle and write a quote on different colored sheets of paper. The faces, names and ages of those who lost their lives were also displayed on the GC Pit screen.

“Continue to fight for love,” “Never forget who I am” and “humanity is bound to get better” were just a few of the quotes that were displayed on the board.

Kaylin Diaz, LGBTQA initiative ambassador, felt compelled to continue her support ever since she was president of her high school’s Gay Straight Alliance. She told Student Media that she wants to fight for the rights of everyone in the LGBTQA community.

“I feel like it’s important to commemorate those who lost their lives, and since most of them were Puerto Rican, it’s showing that there is more diversity within the community,” said Diaz.

For more information on the MPAS and the LGBTQA Initiative, visit their office in GC 216 at the Modesto Maidique campus, or WUC 253 at the Biscayne Bay campus. You can also email the program at mpas@fiu.edu or call 305-348-1911.

 

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