Compassion. Resiliency.
Love. Respect. Inclusivity. This is #OrlandoUnited
On June 12, 2016, Orlando experienced one of the worst mass shootings in
American history. All told, 49 lives were taken, 68 were injured and countless
individuals were impacted by the tragedy at Pulse nightclub. Most of those
victimized identified as LGBTQ+, Latinx and/or Black/African American.
While June 12th represents a tragic day in Central Florida’s history, it also
marks a turning point—a moment when the entire Orlando community
united with compassion and resiliency to denounce hate and fear
and stand up for love, respect and inclusivity. Within hours, LGBTQ+
community leaders began mobilizing to help victims, soon forming an
informal alliance of organizations and individuals set on addressing
the senseless tragedy. Over the subsequent months, the all-volunteer
alliance became an essential source of information and support for victims,
their families, the LGBTQ+ community, government and community
partners. Together, we actively engaged in helping our community
heal and committed to showing love and kindness to one another.
Today, One Orlando Alliance is a unified coalition committed to working
together, in unprecedented ways, to turn tragedy into hope and positive
impact. Collectively, our member organizations are committed to
ensuring that Central Florida serves as a model of nonprofits, businesses,
foundations and government institutions, all working together to create
a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all LGBTQ+ people.
The Alliance Agenda focuses on 10 critical issues affecting
LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in Central Florida. This annual report is the
first of its kind to unite an entire local LGBTQ+ community. It is
our commitment to communicate and collaborate around these
10 community-centric issues as well as our roadmap to success
and measuring stick of the progress and impact being made.
Since publishing our first annual report in 2018, we have made great
strides in protecting our youth, the City of Orlando and Orange County
Government have both begun to recognize LGBTQ+ owned business,
LGBTQ+ homelessness is being addressed collaboratively, and our
most marginalized communities are now at the table, with their voices
being elevated. Our member organizations all continue to make positive
differences in their own way and when we collectively join around
the table, we envision a world where these issues no longer exist.
Until that day comes, the Pulse tragedy continues to point us toward
the work we have yet to do. Together, that work is happening and we
are more focused than ever before. By staying true to the fundamental
values of inclusivity, respect, communication and collaboration that
originally brought us together, we commit to purposeful action to
ensure our community will thrive. We are all #OrlandoUnited and ask
that you join us in creating a safer, more inclusive community for all.
Issues on
the Agenda
1. Youth
2. Workplace Equality
3. Homelessness
4. Health Care
5. Coming Out
6. Vulnerable Populations
7. Transgender/
Gender Nonbinary
8. Hate Crimes
9. Racial Inequality
10. Immigration
OneOrlandoAlliance.org
AllianceAgenda.org
#OrlandoUnited
PHOTOS BY J.D. CASTO
/OneOrlandoAlliance.org
/AllianceAgenda.org