The 10th anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando is approaching, and survivors are taking the lead in honoring the memory of the 49 lives lost. On June 12, 2026, a private ceremony will be held in downtown Orlando, organized exclusively by and for survivors and family members. This event marks a significant shift in how the community remembers the tragedy, as survivors seek to reclaim their narrative and ensure their voices are heard.
The decision to organize an independent ceremony stems from a desire to create a safe and meaningful space for those directly affected by the shooting. Tiara Parker, a Pulse survivor and coordinator with the nonprofit Victims First, emphasized the importance of giving survivors a platform to express themselves. “We wanted to make sure survivors had a voice and that their voice was being heard,” Parker stated. The location of the ceremony remains undisclosed to ensure the privacy and security of the attendees.
The Journey of Healing and Advocacy
For many survivors, the past decade has been a journey of healing, advocacy, and personal growth. Tiara Parker, who was visiting Orlando from Philadelphia in 2016, has become deeply involved in supporting other survivors. She co-founded the Global Activist Awards and has been working with Victims First, a national nonprofit that empowers survivors of mass casualties. Parker’s journey is just one example of how survivors have channeled their experiences into advocacy and support for others.
However, the healing process is far from uniform. “Everybody’s healing journey is different,” Parker acknowledged. Some survivors and family members still grapple with the freshness of their loss, while others have found ways to move forward. Jorshua Hernández, another survivor who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, has been vocal about the challenges he faces, including ongoing medical complications. Hernández, who moved to Puerto Rico four years ago, remains critical of the city’s handling of the aftermath and the OnePulse Foundation’s efforts to establish a memorial.
Controversies and Criticisms
The OnePulse Foundation, founded by former club owner Barbara Poma, faced significant criticism over the years. The foundation’s ambitious plans for a memorial and museum, with an estimated $100 million price tag, were met with opposition from survivors who felt that Poma was profiting from their pain. Under scrutiny for her six-figure salary and the lack of progress on the memorial, Poma stepped down from her leadership role in 2026 and left the nonprofit entirely the following year. The foundation formally dissolved on the last day of 2026, leaving taxpayers to cover its $51,000 property tax bill.
“The OnePulse foundation took advantage of us, the victims and survivors of the shooting, and now they are taking full advantage of Orange County taxpayers,” Hernández stated. The city of Orlando has since taken over the memorial project, but some family members feel left out of the process. Christine Leinonen, whose son Christopher “Drew” Leinonen perished in the shooting, expressed her disappointment with the city’s advisory committee, stating that she was not included despite the memorial being intended to honor her son and the other victims.
A Decade of Remembrance and Advocacy
As the 10th anniversary approaches, survivors and advocates continue to push for meaningful change and remembrance. Brandon Wolf, a survivor and prominent advocate for gun control and LGBTQ+ rights, has become a public figure in his own right. Wolf recently announced his return to Orlando to resume his role with Equality Florida, emphasizing the importance of being on the front lines of the fight for justice and equality.
The independent ceremony organized by survivors represents a significant step in reclaiming the narrative of the Pulse tragedy. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of those who have lived through the unimaginable and are now leading the way in honoring the memory of the 49 lives lost. As the community comes together to remember, the voices of the survivors will be at the forefront, ensuring that their stories are told with dignity and respect.
