The Pulse Nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016, was a devastating event that claimed the lives of 49 people and injured 58 others. As the LGBTQ+ community and the city of Orlando mark a decade since the tragedy, survivors and families reflect on their journeys of healing, advocacy, and resilience.
This mass shooting, the deadliest attack on LGBTQ+ individuals in U.S. history, left an indelible mark on those who survived and those who lost loved ones. The aftermath has been a complex path of navigating grief, seeking justice, and turning pain into purpose.
Transforming Grief into Action
For many survivors, the past decade has been about finding ways to honor the memories of those lost and to create a safer, more inclusive world. Brandon Wolfwho survived the attack, has become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He co-founded The Dru Project, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for LGBTQ+ students, and has worked with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida.
Wolf’s advocacy is driven by a promise he made to his best friend, Drew Leinonenwho died in the shooting. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years,” Wolf says. “Ten years of missing faces at birthday parties, empty seats at dinner tables, and voicemails never returned. Six days after the shooting, at his funeral, I promised my best friend that I would never stop fighting for a world that he would be proud of.”
Seeking Justice and Accountability
Christine LeinonenDrew’s mother, has been a vocal advocate for justice and accountability. As a former police officer, she has raised questions about the police response to the shooting and the management of the onePulse Foundation, which was established to create a memorial and museum. Leinonen’s efforts have been instrumental in pushing for transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Leinonen’s quest for answers has not been easy. She has faced criticism and opposition but remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice. “I didn’t even want to write this book. I didn’t even want to do anything against a museum,” she says. “I just wanted to love my son and grieve my son, that’s all I wanted to do.” Despite the challenges, Leinonen continues to be a voice for the survivor community, demanding better police responses to mass shootings and advocating for the creation of a permanent memorial.
Finding New Paths and Purpose
For Orlando Torresa promoter who worked at Pulse, the shooting was a life-altering event. Torres, who helped launch Latin Night at the club, found himself playing dead in a bathroom stall during the hours-long standoff. Today, he considers himself lucky to have survived and to have found a new purpose in life.
Torres now works in logistics, transporting aerospace equipment and surgical supplies. He has also become involved in organ transport, giving strangers a new lease on life. “God gave me that path and let me stay on Earth,” Torres says. “That took me on a path toward saving lives, so that is what I do.” His work in organ transport has been a way for him to give back and find meaning in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Christopher Hansenanother survivor, has also found a new purpose in his life. After struggling with survivor’s guilt, Hansen helped organize a memorial project to light up a bridge in honor of the victims. This effort evolved into the national Reflections of Resilience movement, which now illuminates structures across the country in memory of all those impacted by hate, violence, and suicide.
Hansen’s work with Survivors Firsta mission dedicated to ensuring that charity money reaches victims, has connected him with survivors of other mass shootings. This work has helped him heal and find a reason to keep going. “I was looking for love, community, and roots, and because of Pulse, now I have found the love,” he says. “I had to love myself to love others, but the brand of my rainbow is love and strength.”
As the community continues to heal and advocate for change, the legacy of the Pulse Nightclub shooting serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The journeys of survivors and families highlight the importance of turning tragedy into action and creating a safer, more inclusive world for all.
