Ten Years On, HRC Remembers & Honors Lives Taken at Pulse By Continuing Work to End Gun Violence in America

by Laurel Powell •

HRC President Kelley Robinson: “Common sense gun reform is an LGBTQ+ issue, and just as we fight for health care access or non-discrimination laws, we also fight for our right and the right of our loved ones to live in safety.”

WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, marks ten years since a gunman entered the Pulse nightclub, an LGBTQ+ bar in Orlando, Florida, on Latin night and took the lives of 49 people and injured at least 53 others. This deadly and tragic day touched the lives of countless people in Central Florida and the LGBTQ+ community across the country. HRC mourns those we lost while honoring their memories by fighting for a future free of gun violence.

Ten years ago our community was forever shaken by the senseless act of gun violence at Pulse nightclub where 49 beautiful souls were taken from us. We continue to hold their loved ones and those who survived close in our hearts.

For so many community members, Pulse on Latin Night was not only a special space, but a safe one.  Over the last 10 years there have been far too many horrific reminders that there is nowhere–not a place of worship, a school, or a community festival–that is safe from the scourge of gun violence.  Far too often, guns are used in our country to inflict violence on people whose lives look different, whose ideas are different, or who love differently. Common sense gun reform is an LGBTQ+ issue, and just as we fight for health care access or non-discrimination laws, we also fight for our right and the right of our loved ones to live in safety. Today we rededicate ourselves to this work, to honoring them with action. We will see it through, no matter how long it takes.

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign

On Saturday, June 13th, 2026, Robinson will join our partners at GIFFORDS and Equality Florida in a panel discussion in Orlando moderated by Pulse survivor and former HRC National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf. This event is open to the press. For press RSVP information, please contact press@hrc.org. 

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