On June 12, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commemorated the Pulse nightclub shooting's ninth anniversary without acknowledging the LGBTQ+ or Latinx communities, despite the event's significance for them. This omission raised concerns about his commitment to diversity and solidarity, as noted by State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith. He criticized DeSantis for prioritizing political strategy over genuine remembrance of the 49 lives lost. Previously, in 2019, such omissions occurred, but were rectified after backlash. The venue is set for transformation into a memorial, highlighting the ongoing impacts of gun violence.
"The omission was as intentional as it was a slight against the impacted LGBTQ and Hispanic communities. The governor's lack of consistency here shows he cares more about scoring political points in the moment than authentic solidarity with his own constituents."
"Nine years ago, on June 12, 2016, a shooter claiming alliance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant committed a horrific act of terrorism at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida."
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