Pulse Memorials and Events for Orlando United Day 2018

- Michelle Snow

Orlando United

On June 12, 2016, Orlando witnessed a devastating tragedy, and in honor of the 49 lives lost, and all of those affected by the Pulse tragedy, The City of Orlando deemed June 12 Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness.

As we approach Orlando United Day 2018, venues around the city will mark the two-year anniversary with memorials, exhibits, and more.

Here is what is scheduled so far:

JUNE 9

2018 Pridefest Kissimmee
Lakefront Park, Kissimmee
noon-5pm
Enjoy food, festivities and more at this FREE event held in remembrance of the Pulse victims.

Second Annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run
Wadeview Park, Orlando
7am – Noon
Net proceeds from this event will benefit the onePULSE Foundation founded by Barbara Poma, the owner of the Pulse Nightclub.

JUNE 10

FilmSlam – #Orlando United Edition
Enzian Theater, Maitland
1pm
2nd annual #OrlandoUnited themed lineup of films featuring local LGBTQ+ filmmakers. The film lineup includes “The Pulse of a City”, a film about the impact the Pulse shooting had on the Orlando community.

O-Town Voices
Lowdnes Shakespeare Theater, Orlando
7:30pm
O-TOWN Voices from Orlando is a play comprised of collected stories, interviews and speeches from Orlando and across the globe collected during the weeks and months following the Pulse Nightclub attack in Orlando. O-TOWN Voices was created and directed by David Karl Lee and features 18 local theater veterans, Barbara Poma (Pulse Nightclub Owner), Neema Bahrami (Pulse Survivor), and the Orlando Gay Chorus.

JUNE 10-16

Another Year Passes: Orlando after the Pulse Nightclub Massacre
The Orange County History Center, Orlando
The exhibit, which runs through October 14, 2018, will include more than 200 images and items collected at Pulse memorial sites throughout Orlando, along with community artwork, international messages and tributes, as well as many individual memento and commemoration items. The iconic 49 tribute crosses created in honor of those who died in the shooting will also be displayed at the History Center from June 10 through June 16, and admission to the History Center will be waived during this time, as well.

JUNE 11-17

Prayer Ribbons Exhibition
Orlando City Hall Plaza, Orlando
This memorial strand of prayer ribbons will include 49 ribbons with the names of the lives taken at Pulse.

JUNE 12

Annual Remembrance Ceremony—A Public Community Gathering
Pulse Memorial, Orlando
7pm-9pm
onePULSE Foundation is hosting a public ceremony to bring together Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the community to honor the 49 angels, the survivors and the first responders in a public gathering at the Pulse Memorial.

Candlelight Vigil for Pulse
Theatre South Playhouse, Orlando
5pm-5:30pm
Light candles, sing songs, and honor the lives lost on June 12, 2016. This is a free event, but donations are welcome and will benefit Theatre South Playhouse’s Acts of Kindness Scholarship Fund & onePULSE Foundation’s Memorial.

Human Rainbow for Pulse
The Other Bar, Orlando
5pm-8pm
BASE Orlando will paint 49 bodies to create a human rainbow, with each person representing a life lost. Models will be painted inside The Other Bar and then they will be doing photographs with the Human Rainbow outside on Wall Street afterwards.

Orlando City SC – Pride in Our City
Orlando City Stadium
The Orlando City Stadium will be open on June 12 from 11am-1pm and from 4-6pm allowing fans to visit the 49 permanent #OrlandoUnited rainbow seats in Section 12 in honor of the victims. Support the One Orlando Alliance, The Dru Project, onePULSE Foundation, Zebra Coalition and Contigo Fund by attending . When you purchase tickets via orlandocitysc.com/prideinourcity, $5 from each ticket will go to the organization of your choice. You can also opt to make a donation here.

Orlando Together: Community Open House at OUAC
Orlando United Assistance Center
11am-1pm
The Orlando United Assistance Center will open its doors on June 12 for a special afternoon dedicated to the community. There will be food trucks and food vendors, a special remembrance activity with the Stars of HOPE, health remedies from the Holistic School of Living, music, and more.

Ringing of the Bells
First United Methodist Church, Orlando
Noon
Join a public gathering for the ringing of 49 bells. Multiple churches around the world have aligned for the ringing of the bells around the world.

Sea to Sea Flag and Art Exhibit
Orange County Administration Office, Orlando
All Day
Section 93 represents a 25-foot section of the world’s largest 1.25-mile original 8-color LGBTQ rainbow flag that was constructed in 2003 in Key West, Florida. The Sea-to-Sea flag stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and required more than 2,000 people to carry it. It was created by Gilbert Baker, the original artist who created the iconic rainbow flag in 1978. Also known as “The Sacred Cloth,” it is a symbol of the worldwide LGBTQ movement for acceptance, understanding, education, solidarity, and inclusion. The County will also feature a small exhibit on the first floor atrium of the administration building – the banner of the 49 will be hung and Pulse-related artwork will be showcased.

MURALS AND DISPLAYS

Colonialtown Labyrinth
820 N. Ferncreek Avenue
Open from sunup to sundown
Meditation labyrinths are used as a path for healing. Intentional walking in a quiet place on a set path allows for a level of focus and release. The Colonialtown labyrinth had been planned, but the names of the Pulse victims and the fractured heart were added at the request of the Colonialtown neighborhood association. The labyrinth was constructed with Capital Improvement Funds from Orlando District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan’s budget.

Inspiration Orlando United – Mural
801 East Washington Street / Exterior east wall of the historic Burton’s Bar and Grille
Artists Michael Pilato and Yuriy Karabash along with co-founder Chimene Hurst have led a collaborative team in the creation of this unique mural in response to the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016. It is a visual narrative showing how courageous acts of compassion revealed a heart of love and kindness in The City Beautiful.

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