Florida Lawmakers Propose Declaring Pulse Nightclub A Federal Landmark

The temporary memorial at Pulse Nightclub

As the nation remembers the tragedy of the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, three years ago today, Florida lawmakers in Congress have begun plans to have the nightclub declared a national monument.

CNN reports that during a memorial ceremony on Monday, Reps. Stephanie Murphy, Val Demings and Darren Soto shared their plans to sponsor landmark legislation, H.R. 3094. Soto said he would like to see the legislation pass by June 2020.

Our efforts to designate #Pulse a National Memorial honors lives of 49 victims, survivors, and their loved ones. It’ll serve as a reminder of us coming together to heal and overcome hate. #PulseMemorial will be a symbol of hope, love, and light for our #OrlandoStrong community. pic.twitter.com/lnUrmOnKxG

— US Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) June 10, 2019

The local non-profit OnePulse Foundation would retain control of the design and construction, but the designation would make the monument eligible for federal funds as part of the National Park System.

If passed, work to build a permanent memorial would begin by 2021.

Nearly three years after the @pulseorlando tragedy, our local congressional representatives are seeking to make this hallowed ground a National Memorial. Despite that act of hate, this is a place of tremendous love. @onePULSEorg #WeWillNotLetHateWin pic.twitter.com/mYoOYAHE9y

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 10, 2019

In the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, lone gunman Omar Mateen entered Pulse Nightclub and opened fire killing 49 people and injuring more than 50 more. During the crisis, Mateen told police he considered himself a soldier of ISIS.

At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Two years later, a temporary memorial in front of the nightclub.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Tuesday commemorating June 12 as Pulse Remembrance Day, and directed all state flags in the state to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday.

Here's part of the memorial service and announcement held on Monday:

News Round-Up: July 27, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Paleontologist and InstaHunk Francesc Gascó (above) is hot. That's all I got. Happy Friday!

• A new study by AARP of over 1,700 gay men in the U.S. found most gay men over 45 are single.

• Folks were surprised when the Stonewall Democratic Club in NY chose to endorse Gov. Andrew Cuomo instead of out lesbian challenger Cynthia Nixon.

• Did Donald Trump use the Pulse Nightclub shooting massacre to cover up Don Jr.'s meeting at Trump Tower with a Russian government attorney turning out to be a dud?

• Former Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called Donald Trump's proposed transgender military ban “the dumbest government policy you could possibly pursue, and it weakens us and hurts our military.”

• The world famous Nob Hill Theater, the world's oldest male strip club, is closing.

• Recording artist Lizzo has released a new single and music video, “Boys." The video premiered on Out.com who declared, “’Boys’ feels remarkably fresh — a fitting clapback to any stragglers who still feel women can’t express sexuality and lust.” Check it out below.

Remembering The 49 Lost In The Pulse Nightclub Shooting

In the two years since the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting massacre, there have been a LOT of prayers and thoughts sent out for those affected by gun violence.

Unfortunately, that's close to all we've gotten.

In a country that polls show support commonsense gun legislation (background checks, no guns for those on the 'no-fly' list) to the tune of almost 90% politicians are still afraid of the 3 million-member National Rifle Association.

Two years ago today, 49 innocent people lost their lives in what was, at the time, the deadliest shooting massacre in the history of the country. Additionally, 53 more were injured.

On that night, the gay nightclub, one of our safe spaces, became a war zone and an emergency room.

Since the Pulse shooting, there have been more mass shootings and more unnecessary deaths.

And still we wait.

2 years ago today was the shooting at #PulseOrlando . I wanna say we’ve grown as a country but we’re still dealing with tragedy everyday due to gun violence. Use this pride month to live fearlessly and be true to yourself. ❤️🌈 Rest in Paradise to all the victims from Pulse. pic.twitter.com/l6d8bOu8WJ

— Z E N (@ZENCXX) June 12, 2018

Yesterday, on the eve of the 2-year #Pulse remembrance, the Orlando community came together for a rally to #HonorThemWithAction and lift up the voices of the survivors and families left behind after the Orlando shooting. pic.twitter.com/w2PJeOo64b

— Equality Florida (@equalityfl) June 12, 2018

From DNC chairman Tom Perez:

“Two years ago, our nation witnessed one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. It was an attack on the LGBTQ community, the Latinx community, and LGBTQ people of color everywhere. It was an attack on the American people and the values of diversity and equality that all of us should cherish. And it was an all too common reminder that our nation is in dire need of common sense gun reforms.

“On this anniversary, let us honor the lives lost that night by recommitting ourselves to the fight for a world where no one faces discrimination, where no life is taken by hatred or bigotry, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity – no matter who they are or who they love. As we celebrate Pride Month, we recognize that the fight for LGBTQ equality is far from over, and the Democratic Party will continue to stand with LGBTQ communities in America and around the world who are fighting for the rights they deserve.”

From Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin:

“Every day, we carry forward the memories of the 49 people whose lives were cruelly and tragically taken at Pulse.”

“As our nation marks two years since this tragedy, we must never lose sight of the unfulfilled hopes, the families shattered and the love lost in this preventable act of mass murder. The thousands more killed by gun violence since Pulse underscores the glaring failure of our elected officials to take common sense steps to combat the scourge of gun violence that plagues our nation.

"We remain as resolved as ever to honor those taken with action, and to work with our coalition partners to ensure that lifesaving steps are finally taken so that all of us may live safe from violence.”

We remember:

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old

Amanda L. Alvear, 25 years old

Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26 years old

Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 years old

Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old

Angel Candelario-Padro, 28 years old

Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 years old

Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old

Cory James Connell, 21 years old

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old

Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández, 31 years old

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old

Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22 years old

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old

Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old

Frank Hernandez, 27 years old

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old

Javier Jorge Reyes, 40 years old

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 years old

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old

Brenda Marquez McCool, 49 years old

Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25 years old

Kimberly Jean Morris, 37 years old

Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old

Luis Omar Ocasio Capo, 20 years old

Geraldo A. Ortiz Jimenez, 25 years old

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old

Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old

Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez, 27 years old

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado, 35 years old

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old

Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, 24 years old

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old

Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old

Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24 years old

Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez, 37 years old

Luis Sergio Vielma, 22 years old

Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez, 50 years old

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old

Orlando: Interim Memorial Honoring Victims & Survivors Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting Unveiled

The new interim memorial for the victims and survivors of the Pulse Nightclub shooting was unveiled yesterday in Orlando, Florida.

The tribute features panels and murals honoring not only the 49 victims of the deadly shooting which took place on June 12, 2016, but the families, first responders and community members who came together in the aftermath of the tragedy.

According to Pulse nightclub owner and foundation founder Barbara Poma, every aspect of the design came directly from those affected by the shooting.

“Everything you will experience here is intentional,” Poma told the press. “It has purpose.”

Photos, commemorative art and images of LGBTQ pride left behind by visitors for almost two years, are now on display on the wall that surrounds the former nightclub. Visitors can leave messages on a digital board in front of the main mural.

Additionally, the iconic Pulse fountain, which had been badly damaged during the shooting, has been rebuilt.

After a dedication ceremony, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, told the Orlando Sentinel the temporary memorial would give survivors of the shooting, as well as the Orlando community, a more appropriate setting to reflect.

“As a gay, Latino man who lives here in Orlando there’s no way that this tragedy couldn’t have been deeply deeply personal for me,” Smith said. “We can’t forget what happened here on the darkest day of our city’s history. It’s also part of our world and human history.”

This tribute will remain until the permanent memorial and museum designs are selected.

Here is a sneak peek of the new interim Pulse memorial. It opens to the public today at 3PM. @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/Dqlfb10H8k

— Greg Angel (@NewsGuyGreg) May 8, 2018

The #Pulse Interim Memorial is officially open to the public. A place of commemoration and reflection for our community and the world as we embark on the planning of the permanent memorial. We are grateful for all of our generous supporters who have helped the victims’ families, the affected survivors, the first responders, and the entire #Orlando community, along the road to healing. #WeWillNotLetHateWin For more information about visiting the Interim Memorial click the link in our bio. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 ____________________________________________ #onepulse #pulse #lgbt #lgbtq #orlando #orlandostrong #loveislove #orlandounited #gay #lesbian #bi #trans #queer

A post shared by Pulse Orlando (@pulseorlando) on May 8, 2018 at 12:29pm PDT

News Round-Up: May 8, 2018

Birthday boy Nyle DiMarco

Some news items you might have missed:

• Happy, happy birthday to Nyle DiMarco! The DWTS/ANTM champ turns 29 today! The handsome model and actor is currently working as a producer on Broadway repping the revival of the hit play, Children of a Lesser God.

• An 88-year-old grandmother shut down her son's homophobia in two sentences.

• Madonna served up fashion in a dramatic vein last night at the annual Met Gala where she sang "Like A Prayer," "Hallelujah" and debuted a new song apparently titled, "Magic." The theme for the evening was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

With The Light on the Steps of the Met! 😇😇😇 #jeannedarc #metgala #hallelujah #catholicimagination 🙏🏼👑 #heavenly. @guyoseary pic.twitter.com/RJTdtECmly

— Madonna (@Madonna) May 8, 2018

• Raul Castro's daughter is making the push for marriage equality in Cuba.

• House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi says if there are Democratic House candidates who want to say they won't support her as House Speaker, she's fine with it. “I think if they have to do that to win the election, I’m all for it. Just win, baby.”

• Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team has questioned a Russian oligarch about hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments funneled through his company to President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, after the election. #RuhRoh #DidHeSayRussia?

• The new interim memorial for the victims and survivors of the Pulse Nightclub shooting was unveiled today in Orlando, Florida. This tribute will remain until a permanent memorial can be built.

Preview of the interim memorial at Pulse nightclub. It will be open to the public starting at 3pm. pic.twitter.com/RlPxGu8Mov

— Bianca Padró Ocasio (@BiancaJoanie) May 8, 2018

News Round-Up: April 6, 2018

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Max Emerson and Abram Hodgens (above) know how to April in style! Oh, to be in Park City right now...

• Ok, so now I have to watch the upcoming all-athletes edition of Dancing with the Stars because oh-so-awesome Olympic bronze medalist Adam Rippon will be taking part in the reality competition. Two Olympic skaters have won in the past, so, just saying... :)

• Fitness model Quin Bruce is giving you "off-duty Superman"... #woof

A post shared by Quin Bruce (@quin_bruce) on Apr 6, 2018 at 1:36pm PDT

• HuffPost: Everyone got the Pulse massacre story completely wrong. Available evidence now suggests Pulse Nightclub was "chosen at random."

• Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego on Donald Trump: "I will gladly work with the President when his ideas aren't stupid and detrimental to the United States." #SoundsAboutRight

• Hawaii has become the 7th state to legalize the right to medically assisted suicide. #Good #Dignity

• For a little #TBT action, I'm digging re-visiting American Idol alum Frenchie Davis' single "Love's Got A Hold On Me" from back in 2012. Oh - and are those hot, shirtless guys in there...?

I met and interviewed the openly bi singer during the promo for the single and she was an absolute doll.

Widow Of Pulse Nightclub Shooter Found Not Guilty

Noor Salman (L) with Pulse gunman Omar Mateen (R)

In what will likely be the only court proceeding in relation to the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting in June of 2016, Noor Salman, widow of the shooter Omar Mateen, was found not guilty of the two charges brought against her.

From NBC News:

Salman, 31, was accused of helping her husband plan his terror assault on the Orlando, Florida, nightclub and of falsely denying her role afterward.

The government equated Mateen's actions with supporting terrorism, because he repeatedly pledged allegiance to ISIS before and during the attack that left 49 people dead and 53 injured. For that reason, Salman was charged with aiding him in providing material support to a terror group.

She was also charged with obstruction of justice, accused of misleading police and FBI agents by making contradictory statements about whether she knew what he was planning.

But after a two-week trial, a federal court jury acquitted her on both counts.

BREAKING: Jury finds Pulse nightclub attacker's widow, Noor Salman, not guilty on all counts.

She was accused of aiding her husband and obstructing the investigation into the attack. pic.twitter.com/Sm8RE0HeTV

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 30, 2018

Orlando: Pulse Nightclub Survivors Greet Parkland Shooting Survivors

After spending several days in Tallahassee, Florida, lobbying state lawmakers to take steps that could stop violent gun massacres in the future, students who survived the gun massacre at a Parkland high school two weeks ago made a stop in Orlando to meet with survivors of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016.

Standing together, the survivors read the names of the 49 Pulse shooting victims and place a rose in a wire fence in tribute. They then added the names of the 17 killed in the Parkland shooting.

Neema Bahrami, who was an event manager at Pulse at the time of the attack, told the press, “We’re all family.”

Watch the local news report below.

Joined Pulse survivors to welcome students and families from Stoneman Douglas to the Pulse site. We share their grief and support their efforts to ensure no other community has to experience what Orlando and Parkland have. pic.twitter.com/JsoouUup4A

— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) February 28, 2018

Survivors of Pulse, Parkland shootings meet: "We're all family" https://t.co/PKTTH4LDWj pic.twitter.com/2VaMS7l5oB

— The Hill (@thehill) March 1, 2018

Pulse Shooter's Wife: I Knew He Was Going To Attack Nightclub

Just hours after the deadly shooting massacre at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman was questioned by the FBI. According to reports, Salman hand-wrote a 12-page statement providing specific details of the attack.

Salman's statement was quietly released in a batch of records from the case at the end of December 2017.

Via USA Today:

The 12-page statement, quietly released by federal authorities at the end of December in a batch of records in the case, was taken hours after the June 12, 2016 shooting. The attack left 49 dead and dozens of others injured.

Noor Salman was questioned for hours, without a lawyer, after authorities learned her husband was the gunman behind the attack.

She was arrested last year on federal charges of providing material support to a terrorist and tampering with evidence but has pleaded not guilty, claiming she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. She said Mateen abused her and claims she did not know of his plot.

But her defense conflicts with the signed statement she gave to the FBI, which details her knowledge of Mateen's planning and his path to carry out an attack on behalf of the Islamic State.

She told agents multiple times she knew his plans and that he was going to attack the Orlando club when he left their home.

On June 12, 2016, Salman's husband killed 49 people at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. He was eventually shot and killed by police after a three-hour standoff.

Salman faces charges of aiding a foreign terrorist organization and obstruction of justice.

In her written statement, Salman told investigators:

• Mateen bought a rifle just days before the attack. When she saw it in his car trunk he told her not to say "anything to anybody."

• Driving by heavily populated areas like Disney World and Pulse Nightclub, he told her, "How upset are people going to be when it gets attacked?"

• Two days before the massacre Salman noticed Mateen looking at the Pulse Nightclub's website. When she asked what he was doing, he replied, "This is my target."

• The night before the shooting Mateen was "pumped up" wearing a handgun in a holster and a backpack full of ammunition. "I knew when he left the house he was going to Orlando to attack the Pulse nightclub," she wrote.

News Round-Up: December 27, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• It's Hump Day - Do I really need to explain why actor/model Trevor LaPaglia (above) is here? #woof

• Who could possibly be a big enough star to headline the Sydney Gay & Lesbian 40th Mardi Gras celebration the year that marriage equality becomes a reality? Word is it's the one and only Cher.

• Donald Trump's lawyers are telling the Trumpster the Robert Mueller investigation will soon come to an end, but those in the know say that's "fanciful" thinking as Yahoo News reports Mueller has just collected "a mountain of new evidence."

• Kansas City weatherman Gary Lezak came out to the world and introduced his longtime partner in a moving Facebook post last week.

• An Orlando police officer who saved lives the night of the Pulse Nightclub shooting is being fired just months before his pension would kick in.

• Apple is facing at least 8 lawsuits over iPhone software updates that slowed down phones without informing customers.

• And here's the always fun round-up of Best News Bloopers of 2017, just to show you folks on TV are human like all of us:

Judge Denies Request To Move Trial Of Pulse Nightclub Shooter's Widow

The widow of the Pulse Nightclub shooter, who killed 49 people at an Orlando, Florida, nightclub in June of 2016, has seen her request for a change of venue for her upcoming trial denied.

Via The New York Times:

U.S. District Judge Paul Byron ruled Wednesday that attorneys for Noor Salman did not prove that she cannot get a fair trial in Orlando. Salman was married to Omar Mateen, who died in a shootout with police at Orlando's Pulse nightclub in June 2016.

Prosecutors charged Salman with obstruction of justice, saying she knew of her husband's plans. She denies that.

Her trial is set for March.

Salman's attorneys argued she could not get a fair trial in Orlando because of constant media coverage and statements made by the Orlando Police chief. But the judge concluded those statements were not inflammatory or prejudicial.

Until the recent shooting in Las Vegas, the Pulse massacre was the deadliest shooting event in American history.

Daily Dance: "Had She Never Asked Me"

Powerful and compelling original spoken word poem written & performed by Daniel J. Watts (currently appearing in Hamilton), choreographed by Cindy Salgado.

From the official website:

Had She Never Asked Me was written by Daniel J. Watts in response to the June 12, 2016 shooting that killed 49 people and wounded 58 others inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Choreographer Cindy Salgado, having been commissioned to choreograph a new piece for Barton Movement, chose Daniel's original text as the foundation of her new piece. The original work premiered at Axis Connect in Los Angeles, CA in 2016.

Eager to reach a broader audience with this piece, Cindy Salgado and Charissa Barton set out to capture it on camera, the result of which is this film.

Watch below.

Orlando: Pulse Nightclub Massacre One Year Ago Today

It was one year ago today that a lone gunman, Omar Mateen, pledged his loyalty to ISIS, walked into a gay nightclub in Orlando armed with an assault rifle and killed 49 people in the worst gun massacre in American history.

Angels surround the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, remembering the 49 people taken one year ago today https://t.co/skHbRpdFU5 #OrlandoUnitedDay pic.twitter.com/KPPlt88NC8

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 12, 2017

Today marks one year since the Pulse massacre. Never forget the 49. We Stand With You, Orlanodo ✊💔 #HonorThemWithAction #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/7X7IPRhrUJ

— Logo 🏳️‍🌈 (@LogoTV) June 12, 2017

Today we remember the 49 lives lost in the Pulse Nightclub shooting one year ago. #OrlandoUnitedDay https://t.co/SVoU8GE9TO

— New Day (@NewDay) June 12, 2017

We will always bear the scars of the Pulse tragedy and grieve for those whose lives were cut short. - @ChiefJohnMina#OrlandoUnitedDay pic.twitter.com/vQ0pJx3NeS

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 12, 2017

Pulse owner Barbara Poma: "I miss Pulse. I miss everything it stood for...It breaks my heart that your sanctuary was taken from you." pic.twitter.com/Bn6SvlTZb7

— ABC News (@ABC) June 12, 2017

One ribbon for every life lost at Pulse. #UnapologeticallyProud #Resist @CapitalPrideDC @HRC pic.twitter.com/C0ooYYdrws

— DCHomos (@DCHomos) June 12, 2017

Today we remember the 49 beautiful souls lost a year ago at Pulse. 💔💛💚💙💜 For them, we continue to dance, love, & unite! #HonorThemWithAction pic.twitter.com/YfJw9OWnwF

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) June 12, 2017

49 people were killed at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Here are their names and stories https://t.co/4qsjjwRv4k https://t.co/hvvG9BfJ6T

— CNN (@CNN) June 12, 2017

Orlando's Gay Chorus honors victims of Pulse nightclub attack with emotional tribute: https://t.co/KDHXGeUZxH

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 12, 2017

Today marks one year since Pulse -- a targeted attack on LGBTQ and Latinx communities. Today and every day, we must #HonorThemWithAction. pic.twitter.com/nhJIcPvXPj

— LGBT Progress (@LGBTProgress) June 12, 2017

Today we remember the 49 people who lost their lives at Pulse nightclub and pledge to #HonorThemWithAction pic.twitter.com/znCsOtqEXl

— ACLU National (@ACLU) June 12, 2017

News Round-Up: May 4, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• If I can't start my day looking LIKE Alex Abramov, at least I can start my day looking AT Alex Abramov.

• Pulse Nightclub, the site of the largest mass murder of LGBTQ people in the history of the United States, will become a permanent national memorial.

• Two 16 year old high school students pretended to be a 35 year old man on a dating app to get a North Carolina teacher to send a naked pic to them, and then they sent the pic to classmates.

• After Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi said that those who dress outside of traditional gender norms are asking for violence, citizens of the Equality State began protesting his comments by wearing tutus and tweeting the hashtag #LiveandLetTutu.

• The Tony Award nominations are out, and lots of folks are thrilled to be on the list. There were, however, some rather egregious oversights. Check out who got overlooked here.

• Team Trump is furious that CNN refused to air his new campaign ad, which included a graphic calling CNN "fake news." Check out CNN's response below:

In response to the Donald J. Trump for President campaign’s accusations of ad censorship: pic.twitter.com/0Rbanpf0dn

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 2, 2017

News Round-Up: April 25, 2017

Instastud Tyler James

Some news items you might have missed:

• Well, hello Mr. Tyler James (above). Nice sheet you have there...

• Madonna is not very happy about a possible biopic about her early days in NYC that just got picked up by Universal. See her post from Instagram:

Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen. Only I can tell my story. 📚Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool. 🤡. Looking for instant gratification without doing the work. This is a disease in our society. ✍️🙃

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on Apr 25, 2017 at 10:26am PDT

• 51 Republicans have written to the President asking him to sign an executive order that would legalize LGBT discrimination based on "protecting religious liberty."

• Sen. Marco Rubio spoke out against the torture and murders of gay men in Chechnya from the floor of the U.S. Senate. #HellHasOfficiallyFrozenOver

• That pastor who declared that the victims of the Pulse Nightclub massacre "got what they deserved?" He just got 35 years in prison for child molestation. #GotWhatHeDeserved

• Xavier Jugele, the 37-year-old police officer who was gunned down in Paris last week, was eulogized by his partner today in a moving memorial ceremony.

Watch below with subtitles.

The husband of the policeman who was murdered last week in Paris delivers an emotional eulogy at his memorial service pic.twitter.com/yGfVNQ1IXZ

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) April 25, 2017

Orlando Plans Day Of Remembrance On 1st Anniversary Of Pulse Nightclub Massacre

The city of Orlando is planning

Via the Associated Press:

Orlando and Orange County officials want the first anniversary next June of the Pulse nightclub massacre to be marked with acts of love and kindness. Elected officials on Monday said that June 12 officially would be dedicated as “Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness.” Officials also announced a series of events planned throughout the day on June 12.

An exhibit of artwork collected from memorial sites set up around Orlando after the massacre will be shown at the Orange County History Center, followed by a memorial service at the site of the former gay nightclub. Another memorial ceremony will be held in the evening around downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola.

Go to the Orlando United Day website for more details.

Podcast: Scholarships In Honor Of Pulse Nightclub Victims, Colton Haynes Gets Engaged

Hit the play button below to listen to this week's Randy Report podcast.

This week's stories include:

• An Orlando business man is raising money for college scholarships in honor of the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting last year

• An LGBT hater tears down and stomps on a Pride flag outside a Congressman’s office

• New Mexico is set to ban so-called "conversion therapy"

• Disney’s live-action reboot of Beauty and the Beast is on track to break box office records this weekend complete with Disney’s first gay character

• Arrow/Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes got engaged - complete with fireworks

• NYPD Officer Michael Hance, who captured hearts when he spontaneously danced with a Pride parade marcher, passed away of 9/11-related cancer

Orlando Business Man Starts Scholarship Fund For Gay Students In Honor Of Pulse Nightclub Victims

Orlando business man Barry Miller, working with the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and the Central Florida Foundation, is raising money for college scholarships for gay students.

Called "The 49 Fund" in honor of the 49 people killed in the June 2016 massacre at Pulse Nightclub, Miller's goal is to offer 10 $4,900 scholarships each year.

To be eligible for consideration, students will need to attend an institution of higher learning full-time, carry a 3.0 GPA and self-identify as "out."

Pulse survivors, or family members of victims, will be given special consideration.

(source)

Pulse Nightclub Shooting Victims To Receive $8.5 Million In Federal Support

The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that victims of the June 2016 shooting massacre at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, will receive nearly $8.5 million for emotional and financial support for victims' families, those wounded in the attack and responders.

From Reuters:

In a statement, the department's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) said the funds would be granted on Wednesday and distributed by officials in Florida, where 49 people were killed at a gay nightclub in Orlando in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Shooter Omar Mateen was killed in a shootout with police after he took hostages during a three-hour standoff inside the Pulse nightclub. He also wounded dozens more people in the June 12, 2016 attack.

“This award will reimburse victim services costs for operation of the Family Assistance Center in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, and ensure that victims, witnesses and first responders receive necessary services to help them adjust in the aftermath of violence, begin the healing process and cope with probable re-traumatization,” Marilyn McCoy Roberts, the office's acting director, said in a statement.

Victims of the San Bernardino and Charleston shootings received similar federal support.

Orlando City SC Honors The 49 Victims Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting

On Wednesday of last week, the Orlando City Soccer Club and stadium officially unveiled 49 seats arranged in a rainbow flag to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting last year.

Watch the moving video below to see the story behind the tribute.