Photo Courtesy of USA Today
According to an official statement by President Joe Biden on the fifth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, he announced that he would sign a bill naming the site as a national memorial.
The Grio reported that the shooting is considered the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in U.S. history and left 49 people dead and 53 people wounded as “Latin Night” was being celebrated at the club.
Biden said in a statement Saturday that he has “stayed in touch with families of the victims and with the survivors who have turned their pain into purpose” and described the club as “hallowed ground.”
Biden said, “In the coming days, I will sign a bill designating Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial, enshrining in law what has been true since that terrible day five years ago: Pulse Nightclub is hallowed ground.”
“But there is more we must do to address the public health epidemic of gun violence in all of its forms – mass shootings and daily acts of gun violence that don’t make national headlines,” he continued.
Biden also emphasized that the country must try harder to reduce gun violence.
The president said, “We must also acknowledge gun violence’s particular impact on LGBTQ+ communities across our nation. We must drive out hate and inequities that contribute to the epidemic of violence and murder against transgender women – especially transgender women of color.”
“We must create a world in which our LGBTQ+ young people are loved, accepted, and feel safe in living their truth. And the Senate must swiftly pass the Equality Act, legislation that will ensure LGBTQ+ Americans finally have equal protection under the law,” he added.
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Biden finalized his statement highlighting his wishes to continue to better the country’s morale.
He concluded with, “In the memory of all of those lost at the Pulse nightclub five years ago, let us continue the work to be a nation at our best – one that recognizes and protects the dignity and safety of every American.”