Central Florida faith leaders remember victims of Pulse Nightclub massacre, call for greater protection of the community
Faith leaders from across Central Florida gathered Monday morning to remember the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting.
They called for greater protection of the LGBTQ+ community.
Many of the leaders said the Pulse tragedy led them to open their church doors to a community that previously felt unwelcome.
Reverends, rabbis and pastors gathered at Joy Metropolitan Community Church in Orlando Monday to remember the 49 people killed at Pulse Nightclub five years ago.
"We want to talk about remembering the 49, to not let their deaths be in vain," said the Rev. Terri Stead Pierce, of Joy Metropolitan Church.
The host of the event, the Rev. Terri Stead Pierce, was moved to tears as she reflected on how, in the wake of the Pulse shooting, faith leaders all over Central Florida opened their doors and sought relationships with the LGBTQ+ community.
"From unspeakable tragedy, the God of my understanding works all that together for good. This is the good thing that has come from such a horrific thing, that has happened in our community," Pierce said.
The leaders announced their strong support for LGBTQ-inclusive, nondiscrimination protections, and signed a statement calling on elected officials to honor the lives taken at Pulse by creating more protections.
Dr. Joel Hunter, the former pastor of a conservative evangelical Christian church, said it was after the Pulse tragedy he realized he had no friendships in the LGBTQ community and knew that needed to change. He also called on the community to join in honoring the victims.
"This is about a respect and honoring of 49 lives that were dear to God, they were his children," Hunter said.
In addition to advocating for greater protections for the LGBTQ+ community, the group also called for legislation to bring an end to gun violence.
One Alliance will also host an in-person, free event called An Evening of Reflection & Promise at 7 p.m. on Monday.
The event, at the Dr. Phillips Center, will feature a panel of LGBTQ community members, as well as some faith leaders.