On June 12th 2016, 49 people were shot and killed inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. 53 others were wounded. It was the largest mass shooting by a single shooter in US history, and the worst attack on the LGBTQ+ Community ever. To mark the one year memorial, I sat down with Dr. David Baker-Hargrove and Hannah Willard.
Dr. David is the President and CEO of Two Spirit Health Services. He has over 21 years of experience as a community organiser and leader dedicated to the mental wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community. David is recognized throughout the world as an expert on mental health issues as they relate to gender identity and speaks regularly at national and international conferences regarding the treatment of gender dysphoria. In 2001, He provided mental health support to the FDNY and NYPD at World Trade Center Ground Zero following the September 11th terrorist attacks. He has been instrumental in the trauma counselling of those affected by the Pulse shooting exactly one year ago. His continuing work through the ‘Help is Still Out There’ Campaign acts as a resource for those affected by that night and who still have lives to rebuild long after the television cameras have gone.
Hannah is the Public Policy Director for Equality Florida: the state’s largest advocacy group for the advancement of LGBTQ rights and protections. She spearheaded the passage of the state’s first nondiscrimination legislation for LGBTQ residents. She was directly involved in the fight for same-sex marriage in Florida. Sadly, Hannah was also caught up in the aftermath of the Pulse massacre, and helped to raise over $29 million in support of the injured and the families of the victims.
Honor Them With Action Campaign: honorthemwithaction.org
Help Is Still Out There Campaign: helpisstilloutthere.org
You can view the Help Is Still Out There PSA here.
You can donate to Two Spirit Health Services by going to their website (here) and clicking the ‘Donate’ button on the right hand side of the page.
Donations to Equality Florida can be made here.
Donations to Equality Texas can be made here.
Donations to Equality North Carolina can be made here.
You can become a support Going Gay on Patreon at patreon.com/goinggay
Music
Pulse – Eli Lieb & Brandon Skeie.
You can download their song for free on Soundcloud here.