The Nightly Show, June 13, 2016
Something unexpected happened at Walt Disney World.
I went to support my friends tonight and attended the vigil they held at Walt Disney World for the victims of the Pulse Shooting. I didn’t know what to expect at all. Nobody really did. We were all just there to watch the kiss goodnight (a little bit of music and some talking to thank guests for being with us today etc). Well after that, instead of playing the regular Main Street music loop (well they did for about four seconds before cutting it off), there was an unofficial moment of silence. In the Magic Kingdom, with thousands of people. You could probably hear a pin drop. It was so emotional, the reason everyone was there, the moment of silence, the respect, the support. THEN Disney used the flood lights, and they lit up red. Then orange. Then yellow. They were all very similar. You could tell people were waiting for green. All of sudden, green. Then blue, and finally, purple. Disney DID THAT. Disney took a stand. Disney isn’t ignoring the fact that it was LGBT+ targets. Disney fully acknowledged who the victims were. The vigil was not put on by Disney. But Disney joined in. We wanted and hoped Disney would do something for it, but we honestly didn’t think they would. When the music came back on, we thought they were just going to let it run it’s course as if nothing happened. But they cut the music. They let everyone have their moment of silence. It was overall surreal. You will never hear Magic Kingdom that silent as a guest. They even let Cast Members come out to the vigil. I believe that one of the victims of the shooting worked at the Emporium. The Emporium cast was infront of the castle, had a heart made of glow sticks, candles, and “I’m Celebrating” buttons with all the victims names (I believe, I couldn’t actually read them, but that’s what I’m assuming – correct me if I’m wrong). There were little girls passing out little hearts made of paper with the rainbow on it. There was a lovely woman who had painted a picture and handed out prints to everyone she could. The cast members were handing out pins- Mickey hands in the shape of a heart, holding a heart. It was just a surreal experience. I still can’t believe it happened. Tonight, the shooting. I hope we don’t have to endure this again. #OrlandoStrong
In the aftermath of Orlando, you can get free mental health services from United — even if you don’t have insurance
UnitedHealth Group is offering free mental health services to anyone in the country who was emotionally affected by the shooting at Pulse in Orlando – even if you don’t have health insurance.
Optum will operate a 24/7 helpline, and users can speak to a trained mental health professional for as long as they need. Individuals can call toll-free at 866-342-6892. The company is also providing access to their benefits site, which contains mental health information like professional tips on how to manage anxiety.
“The helpline can be an easy, accessible way for people to reach out,” William Bonfield, chief medical officer of OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions, told The Huffington Post. “It can provide support, an opportunity to talk and help a person decide if mental health treatment may be helpful.”
Please please please take advantage of this if you need it! Mental healthcare is so important but can be so freaking expensive, and processing Pulse might take a lot out of you. That’s okay – help is out there. And if you’re looking for someone LGBTQ-specific to talk to, the Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline are available for you too.
IMPORTANT! #onepulse
vincent-van-gogh-screw-yourself:
My name is Bree and I’m a senior in high school. I work with a non
profit in Florida and in light of the recent tragedy we are wanting to
show support. We are asking the community to write hand written letters,
post cards, drawings, poems, etc. of support that will be delivered to
the Pride Center in Orlando, the families, and those recovering in the
hospital.We ask that you make the letters generic unless you
would like to write to a particular family, please mail your letters to
NVEEE, PO Box 23837 Fort Lauderdale Florida 33307.As we would like to be able to reach those in their time of need, the due date for the letters is June 26.
The Facebook like page is https://www.facebook.com/Pray-for-PULSE-OrlandoStrong-903732229737988/?fref=nf
Please spread the word, invite your friends and send in letters.UPDATE:
If you are unable to mail in letters, you can email them at info@nveee.org and someone will hand write it for you as it’s much more personal, or you can hand write it and then scan it and email it.Also this is the website:
http://www.nveee.org/letters-to-orlando/This is an incredible thing! If you can contribute, dooooooooo it! There are so many writers, artists, and sweet people here, we can make a big difference in a little way.
Biphobia and the Pulse Massacre
Biphobia and the Pulse Massacre
I want to scream every word of this from the rooftops, because it’s EXACTLY how I’ve been feeling.
“You get to be 100% sad, Elle. Because you are 100% queer. And because I am 100% sure that there were bi people in that club, too.
Bi erasure shouldn’t be another effect of this violence.”
This quote is so good and lovely and pure, and every bi person should hear it. Everyone should hear it.
