As the night wound down at a popular Orlando nightclub, a cowardly act of hatred took the lives of friends and families. They were brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, loving partners, but most of all they were a group of people whose human right to safety was taken away.
Latino Leadership’s Board of Directors, volunteers, and staff extend their deepest condolences to the families and friends that have been impacted by this harrowing act of hate. It is in wake of this tragedy that we hope to bring to light the importance of unity and acceptance within the community.
We pride ourselves in being an integral part of the Latino grassroots network in the Greater Orlando area. Orlando is home to a large and growing Latino and LGBTQ community. A Latin night was hosted where both of these communities came together, as a night of celebration.
Many of the victims are members of our community. As an undivided community we are united in strength and solidarity, keeping in mind the needs of those affected. The issues that will continue to arise in the aftermath of this tragedy will be culturally sensitive, thus we are ready to help our families in the process of healing. We must come together collectively, as a family, to address issues of acceptance within our own community.