Pulse nightclub to build permanent memorial to Orlando shooting victims

While the future of Pulse nightclub, which has remained closed since the night Omar Mateen killed 49 revellers in a shooting spree last month, remains unclear, it looks as though there will be a permanent memorial to those affected at the site of the club,

According to the Orlando Sentinel, documents were recently filed with the state of Florida to build a “permanent memorial” for the victims of the massacre that took place at the club in June.

The plans were submitted by OnePulse Foundation, a not-for-profit created to raise funds for the families of victims, as well as survivors.

In the immediate aftermath the clubs owner, Barbara Poma insisted that Pulse would re-open, saying: “We just have to move forward and find a way to keep their hearts beating and keep our spirits alive.”

“We’re not going to let someone take this away from us.”

Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma speaking at New York Pride this year.

It’s still not known whether the memorial will replace the club, which was opened in 2004 partly in memory of Poma’s brother who dies of AIDS in 1991, will replace the club entirely or be built alongside the venue.

However, discussions about the club’s future have always included a memorial, with Poma insisting after the attack that “anything we would ever do would include a memorial. We are still working through our grief”.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs has thrown her support behind the plans, saying “I think that it’s up to the owner of the property obviously to choose what the [future] use of the property will be but I would support any efforts to memorialise Pulse either on that site or someplace else”.

Pulse nightclub served not only as a place for LGBT people to meet up and party, but as a community centre for the area’s LGBT residents, with fundraisers, particularly for HIV, being regularly held there. And since the attack the bar has seen this spirit of charity repaid, with millions of dollars raised in support of the bar, the victims and survivors. In the first 24 hours alone over $2.5 million was raised, according to Advocate.

You can read our special feature on Orlando and its aftermath in the new issue of Attitude, available to download now from pocketmags.com/attitude.

It’s in shops next Wednesday (July 20), and print copies are available to order from newsstand.co.uk.

ORLANDO COVER

Also in Attitude’s August issue, alongside all your usual news, reviews, fitness & travel:

20 years of Girl Power: Spice Girl Emma Bunton recalls the highs and lows of life as part of the world’s most famous girl groups ever.
Three years before Stonewall… there was the riot at Compton’s cafeteria in San Francisco. Attitude commemorates 50 years since the queer community fought back against an oppressive police force.
Pop’s new sensation Shura on why she doesn’t want to be compartmentalised as a queer artist.
Out gay Iraqi activist Amir Ashour on why he’ll never stop fighting for LGBT liberation in his homeland.
Willam reveals why he has no love for RuPaul’s Drag Race.

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