After the Orlando shooting, many people have been trying to find peace and closure. We lost at least 49 lives of teachers, actors, dancers, mothers, managers, many more beautiful people, and at least another 50 people were injured. Loved ones are currently mourning for the souls that were lost and there is so much confusion and so much pain that has taken place in several different communities. It is a very difficult time for many people and it may take a very long time for everyone to be able to heal and to find peace and closure. In this time of darkness, you as the reader can help people heal and find the closure they seek. If you are someone who has been affected by this tragedy, this article is for you and I am so sorry that this happened. Please take your time in healing and please know that love will forever conquer hate. If you are someone who wants to help survivors or communities heal, this is also for you and thank you for wanting to take the next step forward in helping people.
(Note: This list is in no particular order.)
Reach out to the communities affected.
There are several communities that have been affected by this horrible tragedy, including the Muslim community, the LGTBQA+ community, and the communities of Florida and the community of Orlando. The best way to reach out to them in my own opinion is by showing your support by walking with them during Pride events. Stand with members of the LGBTQA+ communities during pride events or by holding signs as the parade walks by to show your love and support. Stand up for the Muslim communities by preaching love instead of hate. The way you can reach out is by asking genuine questions that will better help you understand. If you do not know someone who is Muslim, feel free to do research on what you do not understand so you can become more knowledgeable on their community. Look for sources that are supportive of the Muslim communities that are trying to get rid of violence as much as they can. Avoid sources and websites that are corrupted by Islamophobia. Take members of the affected communities by the hand and let them know you love them and have their backs.
Send cards to the survivors.
Since there is currently not much information on the survivors, there is one website that is gaining signatures for one very large condolence card to those affected by the tragedy.
Sign the card here. This will show people that you are thinking about them and that you care, which is what this world definitely needs right now; people who care.
Please be flexible and understanding.
If you know someone who has been affected by this shooting, please let them take their time and do not make them feel bad if they do not want to go out again immediately. With traumatic events, sometimes people are not affected right away and even two years from now, they may decide they do not want to go out. Show your support and make alternative plans inside or close by to where they are comfortable if that is something they would be interested in doing. If not, then ask them what they would need in order to feel comfortable. Be patient if they have a hard time coping with what they have been through. If they need space or just time alone, let them know you will be there for them if they need to talk or go with them to a counselor to show your support if they need it. The Orlando LGBT community center has a hotline for call-in counseling for people who need it. The number is 1-407-228-1446. Please remember to be patient, because healing is a process that needs work, time, and patience.
Donate blood or at least one dollar to the OneOrlando Fund.
There is currently a fund that was created by Orlando’s Mayor Buddy Dyer. If everyone could donate at least one dollar to this fund, it could make a huge impact and would help the families of the victims. Donate now by sending checks to this address:
One Orlando
P.O. Box 4990
Orlando Fl 32802-4990
(Address copied from Orlando Weekly website.)
If you would like to donate blood, search for your local blood bank and ask if they are transporting blood to Orlando and if you can take part. According to Oneblood, the blood bank in Florida that is receiving many recipients, say that they are in need of O+ and O- blood and AB plasma. They say that any blood type would still be extremely helpful.
Show respect by honoring the victims.
Here are all the names of the lives lost in the tragedy. Please do not forget them or the fact that this has happened. Honor the victims by lighting a candle, by saying a prayer, by creating something beautiful in their honor. By making something great and knowing that they were beautiful people who all had bright futures, and you are doing what you can for them.
This is the list of the names released by the City of Orlando:
Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Amanda 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 L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
Juan Chevez-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
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Peter O. 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 Laureanodisla, 25 years old
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
Kimberly 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 C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old
Become the difference that the world needs and act now by trying to better yourselves and the people around you. I believe in you.
