July 2018 Issue #19 July 2018 Issue #19 4Guys | Page 90

INTERVIEW
Pulse Orlando Owner
On 12 June 2016, Pulse nightclub in Orlando was the scene of one of the dead-
liest mass shootings by a single gunman in the history of the United States. At
the time, it marked the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil since the tragedy of
9/11. 49 people were killed, and over 50 were left injured.
It’s an event that lead to international mourning, moments of respect that could
pierce the world their silence was so strong, and even a visit from Barack Obama.
The former US President commented at the time: “This is an especially heartbreak-
ing day for all our friends, our fellow Americans, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender.
“The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends,
to dance and to sing, and to live. A place where they were attacked is more than a
nightclub, it’s a place of solidarity and empowerment where people have come to-
gether to raise awareness, to speak their mind and to advocate for their civil rights.”
Speaking on the second anniversary of the mass killing, owner Barbara Poma and
manager Brian Regan recall the night that forced them to work through the unimag-
inable, and turned an LGBTQ venue into a permanent reminder
of how far we’ve still got to go.
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