Never Forgotten.
a tribute to Orlando
J
une 12, 2016. Forty-nine lives were lost that day and dozens more were injured in a senseless hate crime against the LGBTQA community, marking the most deadly shooting in U.S. history. As we continue to grieve our lost brothers and sisters, we mobilize and rise-up to conquer hate. We stand united to take on homophobia in the most fierce way possible. We arm ourselves with advocacy, solidarity, truth, and most importantly, love. We honor the lives that were and their legacy that has been left behind. We will not forget. We will not be defeated. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to them.
partner Oscar A. Aracena-Montero. Both were killed at Pulse. The couple stopped to see Niagara Falls.
the two, to be side-by-side, when loved ones bid farewell to them,” according to Time Magazine online.
Oscar was a business student. He had returned home from a Canadian vacation with his partner, Simón Adrián Carrillo Fernández, who also perished at Pulse. They chose 3 Chihuahuas to liven up the house they bought together.
Drew was a mental health therapist and the recipient of the Anna Frank Award for his fight for LGBT rights. Known as a film buff, Drew met his soulmate, Juan Ramón Guerrero, a couple of years ago. His mother pleaded for her son’s safe return before learning of his both deaths.Their families decided to have a side-by-side funeral.
Stanley Almodovar III, 23, Massachusetts
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32, South Carolina
Stanley pushed hurt people out of harm’s way during the shooting. The pharmaceutical technician once proclaimed: “I wear make-up and I’m still a man about it tho,” and “pharmacy is my talent, drug life chose me.”
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26, Dominican Republic
Juan Pablo Rivera Velazquez, 37, Puerto Rico
Juan owned Alta Peluqueria D’Magazine in Kissimmee with his boyfriend Luis Daniel Conde (also a victim). They were together 16 years. The salon would often provide free services to women who had been victims of domestic violence.
Luis Daniel Conde, 39, Puerto Rico
A make-up artist, Luis was enjoying the night at Pulse with his partner of 16 years, Juan Pablo Rivera Velazquez, while they celebrated a friend’s birthday.
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25, North Carolina
Tevin was a business owner of his own Michigan-based Marketing Firm called Total Entrepreneurs Concepts, TEC, a reflection of his initials. His firm employed 20 people. He inspired ambition among his colleagues by using motivational memes and the hashtag #LoveMyTeam.
Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25, Puerto Rico Anthony’s drag queen name was Alanis Laurell. He almost finished his communication degree at Sagrado Corazón Univ. in PR, but instead moved to Orlando to start a career in dancing to become a choreographer.
Dee Dee, as she was known, was working at Pulse the night of the shooting. She was trying to turn her life around from drug addiction. The NY Daily News reported she has a 3-year-old son.
Leroy Valentín Fernández, 25, Puerto Rico
Antonio Davon Brown, 29, Oklahoma
Leroy moved to Orlando to care for his mother. He was an apartment leasing agent. Roy, the nickname he went by on FB, loved Adele and choreographed original drag routines, with many set to Beyoncé and J-Lo tracks. Prior to his death at Pulse, Roy posted a motivational message: “Blessed Sunday everyone! Life is too short to be mad. #echapalante #dontworrybehappy.” “Echa pa’ lante” means move forward in Spanish.
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29, Virginia
Amanda was at Pulse with her best friend, Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26. Neither woman survived. She had lost 180 pounds in the last 2 years through surgery and exercise. She worked as a pharmacy technician. She planned to be a nurse.
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33, Puerto Rico
Rodolfo worked as a Biologics Assistant at One Blood Donation Center and had recently been promoted to platelet supervisor. He was a skilled salsa dancer and a prankster, according to media reports. He studied Human Resources at the Inter American University in San German. A Florida A&M alumnus, Antonio handled the HR Department at a Lowe’s store. He was an R.O.T.C. officer who served a year-long tour of duty in Kuwait. In 2012, the U.S. Army Reserve awarded him the rank of Captain. Darryl was a financial aid officer a Keiser University. He had just completed his Master’s in HR management and was celebrating his accomplishment at Pulse.
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24, Puerto Rico Jonathan was the Assistant Producer of “La Voz Kids,” Telemundo’s singing competition show for young viewers. Investigators said he died standing between the shooter and his friend Yilmary, who was the mother of a newborn and also died at Pulse.
Ángel Luis Candelario-Padro, 28, Puerto Rico Ángel had recently moved from Chicago to Orlando, finding a job at the Florida Retina Institute, a couple of days before the shooting. He moved to Fla. looking for a less-crime ridden place.
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20, Puerto Rico
Luis worked at Target and Starbucks while trying to become a professional dancer and actor. An aspiring performer, Luis, had big Hollywood dreams.
Simón Adrián Carrillo Fernández, 31, Venezuela Simón went by Simon A. Carrillo on FB. He brought his colleagues’ cakes on their birthdays. He had just traveled from Canada with his
Amanda Alvear, 25, Florida
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26, New York
Mercedez moved to Fla. to study literature at Valencia College. She loved music and wanted to become a party planner. She went to Pulse with best friend Amanda Alvear. Both died at the nightclub. “It’s not fair that such a horrible act of hate took the life of such a beautiful soul,” her father, César Flores, said to a local TV station.
Peter “Ommy” González-Cruz, 22, Puerto Rico
Peter called himself Peter Ommy and worked for UPS. He was the life of the party. His aunt said: “If Peter is not at the party, no one wants to go.” Peter Ommy went to Pulse with his best friend, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menéndez. Both died in the attack.
Gilberto Ramón Silva Menéndez, 25, Puerto Rico
Gilberto was an only child. He was studying health care management at the Ana G. Méndez University System. The dog show community saluted him as “one of our own.” His favorite breed was a Saint Bernard. His roommate, Peter Ommy González Cruz, also perished at Pulse.
Juan Ramón Guerrero, 22
Juan came out to his family not long ago. He went to Pulse with his boyfriend Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, 32. They had spoken about getting married already. They had a joint funeral. “The Family wanted
Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, 32, Michigan
Paul Terrell Henry, 41, Chicago
Paul could play the piano and the organ without ever having an actual lesson. He was proud that one of his two daughters had recently earned her HS diploma. He is remembered by his boyfriend, Francisco Hernández, as a loving, genuine man, excellent at pool. “I miss him. I love him,” Francisco told The Orlando Sentinel.
Frankie Hernández aka Frank Escalante, 27, Texas
Frankie managed a Calvin Klein Outlet store and loved living there because he felt accepted; he told his family, according to The Orlando Sentinel. He loved showing a tattoo on his right bicep that read “Love has no gender.” He was at Pulse with his boyfriend, Brett Rigas, who survived the massacre, reported The Tampa Bay Times.
Miguel Ángel Honorato, 30, México
Miguel came to the U.S. at age 4, and worked for as the manager of a Mexican catering company in Orlando. He leaves behind 3 sons ages 15, 2 and 1. He was a huge soccer fan.
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