The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus hails President Joe Biden's historic bill signing, which designates the Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial five years after the tragic mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.
“Five years after the deadliest attack against the LGBTQ community in our nation's history, our hearts still ache for the lives lost at Pulse Nightclub," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Angie Craig (MN-02). “Today, we honor their memories by signing into law a bill establishing the National Pulse Memorial in honor of the 49 Americans we lost that night. It was a solemn honor to help pass this long overdue law – which I pray will help us continue to heal from this senseless tragedy."
People were attacked at a place where they came to be with friends, to dance, to share a sense of community. The passage of this bill will not bring back those we lost but it will make it clear that their lives mattered and that we should never forget what we endured as a community.
Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI)
“I remember exactly where I was in 2016 when the world learned of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in history. Today, I stood alongside survivors in solemn remembrance of the 49 lives lost at Pulse Nightclub as the President officially designated the site a national memorial, reminding each of us that their memory prevails: love over hate," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03). “I am grateful for the leadership of the President and my colleagues during Pride Month as we continue to heal from this tragedy and honor the strength and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community."
Remembering the tragedy at Pulse Orlando is even more painful because it happened during Pride – when we should all feel safe celebrating who we are.
Equality Caucus Co-Chair Sean Patrick Maloney
"But we can't forget or be numb," said Maloney (NY). “Today, I was proud to stand with President Biden as he signed legislation to make the site a national memorial. We must remember and honor the lost as we recommit to building a world free from gun violence."
“By designating Pulse Nightclub as a National Memorial Site, we can always remember the vibrant lives of those who were taken from us far too soon," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Mark Takano (CA-41).
The Pulse nightclub massacre was the deadliest attack on LGBTQ+ people in modern American history. It struck the BIPOC community especially hard, as many of the victims were Afro-Latinx.
The memorial will serve as “a daily reminder that there is much work to do to combat hatred and homophobia in our society," said Equality Caucus Co-Chair Ritchie Torres (NY-15). "As the first openly-gay Afro-Latino Member of Congress, I am honored to join President Biden as he signs the bill designating the National Pulse Memorial. We will continue to fight for the safety and equal treatment of the LGBTQ community."