WASHINGTON, DC/ ORLANDO, FL, June 11, 2018 -- The two year anniversary of the Pulse shooting in Orlando is tomorrow, June 12. The death of 49 people and 53 injured inspired the founding of the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. Our issues impact every community in the country, every day. Pride Fund would appreciate the opportunity to brief you on our successes over the past two years, and our plans for the future.
Pride Fund to End Gun Violence (“Pride Fund”) is America’s only national LGBTQ political organization solely focused on gun violence prevention. As a hybrid Political Action Committee, Pride Fund supports candidates at the state and federal level who will act on sensible gun policy reforms while championing LGBTQ safety and equality. Pride Fund seeks to create policy change by raising funds to elect pro-LGBTQ candidates who support commonsense gun safety reforms; mobilizing its network of grassroots activists; running targeted digital campaigns, and advocating for legislation at the state and federal levels.
Pride Fund announced today its addition of two new Board of Advisors members, Tiara Parker and Chris Hansen, both survivors of the Pulse massacre. Members of Pride Fund’s Board of Advisors are committed to electing candidates who will act on sensible gun policy reforms and champion LGBTQ safety and equality.
Tiara Parker was at Pulse with her younger cousin, Akyra Murray, the night of the shooting. After hiding in a bathroom stall in an attempt to save their lives, both Murray and Parker were shot by the gunman. Parker suffered from a gunshot to the abdomen, as well as multiple other injuries. Her cousin, Akyra, died from gunshot wounds.
Christopher Hansen survived the shooting uninjured but helped carry wounded people out of the nightclub moments after the shooter had opened fire, killing 49 people. Since the tragedy, he has dedicated his life to being an advocate for the LGBTQ community as well as becoming a strong voice for mass shooting victims and survivors.
This expansion of the Board exemplifies Pride Fund’s growth from its founding after the Pulse shooting in 2016. Our new members complement our existing board, which includes others personally affected by Pulse. Their personal involvement underscores our mission: to ensure that another Pulse never happens again. We have turned tragedy into action to create a safer America by getting involved in any way possible in order to stop gun violence.
The energy and enthusiasm for our agenda is undeniable. As the LGTBQ community celebrates Pride Month, we cannot forget the horror visited upon our brothers and sisters in Orlando two years ago. Should you be reporting on Pride or the Pulse anniversary, the issue of gun rights and the LGBTQ community as an important undercurrent, Pride Fund would appreciate the opportunity to brief you on the issues, Pride Fund's efforts, and the expectations of our community for the Pride Fund.
WHAT: Media availability for Jason Lindsay, Executive Director and Founder of the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence
WHEN: Pride Month (Pulse anniversary is June 12)
CONTACT: Taylor Houston, phone 860.884.8853