Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson Appears Confused, Incoherent in Lobby After Aleppo Gaffe – WATCH

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson appeared incoherent and confused when questioned in the lobby of Rockefeller Center immediately following his “What is Aleppo?” interview on Morning Joe.

As previously reported, when asked by journalist Mike Barnicle about the situation in Aleppo, Johnson responded with a question of his own: “What is Aleppo?”

That left Barnicle and anyone watching stunned. “You’re kidding,” Barnicle replied.

After Johnson explained that he wasn’t kidding, Barnicle explained, “Aleppo is in Syria. It’s the epicenter of the refugee crisis.”

ICYMI – ‘What is Aleppo?’ – Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson Stuns MSNBC Hosts with Foreign Policy Fail: WATCH

Following that interview, Bloomberg Politics reporters and With All Due Respect host Mark Halperin got a hold of Johnson to try and get some clarification from Johnson.

Halperin asked Johnson, “Is it a gotcha thing?…In retrospect do you know it?” It being Aleppo.

Johnson’s response was meandering and not entirely cogent:

“Well, when you recognize what’s going in in Syria, when you recognize that Aleppo is in the kind of in the epicenter–Aleppo! Not knowing that there’s a city in between the two forces really at the epicenter of the–but not remembering or identifying that that’s Aleppo, guilty.”

Halperin again tried for clarification: “But in retrospect, is this a town you know?”

Johnson dodged that question and instead went into a story about a similar incident that happened to him when he was running for Governor of New Mexico.

RELATED: Bloodied Young Boy Becomes Face of Suffering in Aleppo

Johnson added, “I’m incredibly frustrated with myself.” Johnson also conceded that his “What is Aleppo?” comment should be considered a big flap. “I understand the significance,” Johnson said. “No one is taking this more seriously than me. I feel horrible.”

As for what will happen next, Johnson told Halperin, “I have to get smarter. And that’s just part of the process.”

When asked if he has heard from his running mate Bill Weld following his Morning Joe appearance, Johsnon was confused. He asked Halperin,”Regarding?”

“This,” Halperin replied.

Johnson didn’t seem to get why he might have heard from Weld.

The post Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson Appears Confused, Incoherent in Lobby After Aleppo Gaffe – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

feeds.towleroad.com/~r/towleroad/feed/~3/hKslKvfBGWQ/

Limit(less) Project: Tyler

mowunna posted a photo:

Tyler: Queer Kenyan-Somali (Canada)

“My name is Tyler. I’m a Kenyan-Somali-Canadian. Pronouns, he and him. I identify as queer.”

– Tyler (Queer Kenyan-Somali, He/Him)

Donate to support the project: HERE

About Limit(less)
Limit(less) is a photography project by Mikael Owunna (@owning-my-truth) documenting the fashion and style of LGBTQ African Immigrants (1st and 2nd generation) in diaspora. As LGBTQ Africans, we are constantly told that being LGBTQ is somehow “un-African,” and this rhetoric is a regular part of homophobic and transphobic discourse in African communities. This line of thinking, however, is patently false and exists an artifact of colonization of the African continent. Identities which would now be categorized as “LGBTQ” have always existed, and being LGBTQ does not make us “less” African.

Limit(less) explores how LGBTQ African immigrants navigate their identities and find ways to overcome the supposed “tension” between their LGBTQ and African identities through their fashion and style. The project seeks to visually deconstruct the colonial binary that has been set up between LGBTQ and African identities, which erases the lives and experiences of LGBTQ Africans. ‪#‎LimitlessAfricans‬

Donate to support the project: HERE

Website:
limitlessafricans.com/

Facebook Page:
facebook.com/limitlessafricans

Tumblr:
limitlessafricans.tumblr.com

#AM_Equality News: August 25, 2016

NEW NONPARTISAN POLL SHOWS LGBTQ EQUALITY IS A WINNING MESSAGE IN NOVEMBER: This morning, national survey results released by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute underscored what Donald Trump, Mike Pence and NC Governor Pat McCrory are struggling to grasp: A clear majority of Americans support LGBTQ equality. The survey found that when it comes to laws like North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2, only 35 percent support such laws, while 64 percent of Americans oppose them. What’s more, only 30 percent support laws that allow businesses to discriminate and deny service to LGBTQ people because of who they are or whom they love. A majority — 63 percent — are opposed to such laws. “Targeting LGBTQ people for discrimination isn’t just wrong, it’s a recipe for electoral disaster,” said HRC Communications Director Jay Brown. “From Pat McCrory to Donald Trump, those who somehow still believe it’s acceptable to target LGBTQ people with discriminatory laws that deny us equal treatment under the law are in for a rude awakening in November.” U.S. News & World Report has the full story here.

• Meanwhile, two new NC polls find McCrory losing. Less than an hour after McCrory’s team attacked a Monmouth University poll that found him trailing in his re-election race by nine points, CNN released a poll that also showed McCrory behind. Noted: Monmouth specifically cited HB2 as a reason for McCrory’s struggles. HRC has endorsed McCrory’s opponent, NC Attorney General Roy Cooper.

“PAYING KINDNESS FORWARD” AFTER PULSE TRAGEDY: The Orlando Health and Florida Hospital won’t bill survivors of the deadly Pulse nightclub tragedy — about $5.5 million in care, The Orlando Sentinel reports. “The Pulse shooting was a horrendous tragedy for the victims, their families and our entire community,” Orlando Health President and CEO David Strong said. “During this very trying time, many organizations, individuals and charities have reached out to Orlando Health to show their support. This is simply our way of paying that kindness forward.” Forty-nine LGBTQ people and allies were killed in the June shooting and more than 50 injured. Read more here, and check out efforts to #StopTheHate.

LABOR DEPT. SAYS FED CONTRACTORS MUST COMPLY WITH LGBTQ WORKER PROTECTIONS: The U.S. Department of Labor issued final regulations yesterday that will help to ensure companies contracting with the federal government comply with non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy said, “These regulations will level the playing field for companies that play by the rules and know that equal opportunity and non-discrimination protections are good for business. They will also help ensure taxpayer funds are not used to unlawfully discriminate against LGBTQ people.” More from HRC.

LAWYER SAYS VICIOUS ATTACK ON GAY COUPLE JUST “OLD-SCHOOL CULTURE”: In March, Anthony Gooden Jr. and Marquez Tolbert were severely burned when the boyfriend of Tolbert’s mother poured scalding water on the couple while they were sleeping. At Martin Blackwell’s trial yesterday on aggravated battery and assault charges, his lawyer appallingly defended the horrific attack, telling the jury: “It’s not about hate. It’s about old-school culture, old-school thinking.” The jury didn’t buy the grotesque argument. Blackwell was found guilty Wednesday on eight counts and sentenced to 40 years in prison. More from The Associated Press.

#TBT: If we could turn back time, we wish we could have gone to Hillary Clinton’s Provincetown, Mass., fundraiser last weekend to see Cher excoriate Donald Trump on his anti-LGBTQ agenda. When it comes to the LGBTQ community, @Cher is always singing “I’ve got you babe.” More from The New York Times; hear Cher on MSNBC’s The Last Word.

BELLA THORNE COMES OUT AS BISEXUAL: Disney star Bella Thorne came out this week on Twitter, simply replying “yes” when asked by a fan if she was bisexual. After receiving an outpouring of support, she tweeted, “Aww thank you for all the accepting tweets from everyone. I love you guys #pride” More from People.

WILTON MANORS TO BAN SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY” FOR LGBTQ YOUTH: Wilton Manors, Fla., this week tentatively approved a ban on licensed professionals from using dangerous and debunked conversion therapy on minors that seeks to change their sexual or gender identities. Miami Beach has a similar ban, and Palm Beach County is considering one. More from Sun Sentinel.

RUSH LIMBAUGH’S NEWEST CONSPIRACY — “MASS LESBIAN FARM INFILTRATION SCHEME”: You read that correctly. Limbaugh is bizarrely suggesting that the Obama Administration is conspiring to move lesbian farmers into conservative parts of the country to… take over? Rushbo’s theory: “They are trying to bust up one of the last geographically conservative regions in the country; that’s rural America.” More fun from New York Magazine.

FIRST PUBLIC LGBTQ PRIDE EVENTS IN JAMAICA: Earlier this month, HRC Global partnered with this year’s successful Pride JA in Jamaica, a week of LGBTQ Pride. The Pride events were a successful outcome of the tremendous efforts of J-FLAG, the foremost human rights and social justice advocacy organization for LGBTQ people in Jamaica. Dane Lewis, Executive Director of J-FLAG, said, “PRIDE JA is a local product. Conceptualized, owned and driven by young activists who know why it is necessary to celebrate who we are.” More from HRC and The Guardian.

READING RAINBOW

NPR reports that the NBA’s decision to move the 2017 All-Star game out of NC because of HB2 isn’t the first time a major sports league has acted to support civil rights… Radio Milwaukee reviews a new book chronicling the city’s LGBTQ history… OkayAfrica explores Nigeria’s transgender community… Michigan Live profiles a new program to offer health care to LGBTQ youths at a Detroit-area shelter… and Recode reports on the White House’s LGBT Tech and Innovation Briefing.

 

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-news-august-25-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Official Suggests Uganda Will Force LGBT People Into State-Run ‘Ex-Gay’ Program

Days after police violently raided a gay Pride event in Uganda, the nation’s ethics minister on Monday announced a new government-sanctioned “ex-gay” therapy program.

“A program to rehabilitate members of the LGBT Community, with the ultimate aim of giving them a chance to lead normal lives again, has been developed,” Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo said in a statement posted by the Uganda Media Center.

Lokodo, a former Catholic priest, didn’t provide specifics of the program, but in the meantime he vowed to continue to crack down on LGBT gatherings.

Police in Uganda, one of 36 African countries where gay sex is illegal, arrested more than a dozen people, including prominent LGBT activists, during the Mr. and Miss Pride Uganda 2016 at Venom Club in Kabalaggala last week. The following day, organizers canceled a Pride parade scheduled for Saturday after Lokodo reportedly threatened to put together a police-led mob to assault participants.

On Monday, Lokodo told reporters that the government “will continue to suppress” the public activities of homosexuals, the Associated Press reports. He also alleged that Pride activities are being organized “with the influence of some foreign forces.”

We as Ugandans wanted to celebrate who we are and it has nothing to do with “foreign forces” @frankmugisha @Opimva t.co/MRyZPajLgY

— Sexual Minorities UG (@SMUG2004) August 8, 2016

 

Despite Lokodo’s statement, gay activist Frank Mugisha, who was among those arrested in the raid, said the LGBT community will continue to organize public gatherings:

Minister Lokodo says, LGBT Ugandans can hold private events & I am saying we shall hold any events public or private like any Ugandan

— Dr. Frank Mugisha (@frankmugisha) August 8, 2016

More from the AP:

In 2009, a Ugandan lawmaker introduced a bill that prescribed the death penalty for some homosexual acts, saying he wanted to protect Ugandan children. The proposed bill prompted international condemnation, and a less severe version passed by lawmakers was rejected by a court as unconstitutional.

Read Lokodo’s full statement here.

The post Official Suggests Uganda Will Force LGBT People Into State-Run ‘Ex-Gay’ Program appeared first on Towleroad.

feeds.towleroad.com/~r/towleroad/feed/~3/WzKp1YpNnwI/

Emmy Nominations for LGBTQ Shows, Many Transgender-Centric Standouts

This morning, the Television Academy released its nominees for the 68th Emmy Awards, highlighting several LGBTQ and allied actors. Many of those nominations went to two groundbreaking shows — Transparent and Her Story — featuring transgender actors, writers and directors.

The hit Amazon show Transparent, which follows the transition and story of a transgender mother, received 10 nominations. Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light and Gaby Hoffman were all nominated, as was the show’s creator Jill Soloway. Light is a longtime HRC supporter and her co-star, Kathryn Hahn, received an HRC Ally for Equality award in May. 

Her Story was nominated for Outstanding Short Form Comedy Or Drama Series. Her Story is a groundbreaking YouTube series that tells the story of several transgender and queer women, including transgender advocate Angelica Ross, who has partnered with HRC on projects.

Ryan Murphy, who produced a powerful tribute to the Orlando victims last month, received two nominations for The People v. O.J. Simpson. Several actors who were featured in the tribute video, including Kathy Bates, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kerry Washington and Sarah Paulson, were also nominated.

Gaycation, which stars longtime HRC supporter Ellen Page, was nominated for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. Page came out at HRC Foundation’s first annual Time to THRIVE conference in 2014.

RuPaul’s Drag Race was nominated for Outstanding Costumes For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program and the show’s host and creator, RuPaul, was nominated for Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program.

HRC supporters Lily Tomlin and Tig Notaro, who are both openly lesbian, Carrie Brownstein, who is openly bisexual, and Tituss Burgess, who is openly gay, were also nominated.

HRC supporters Bryan Cranston, Audra McDonald, Felicity Huffman and Allison Janney also received nominations.

HRC congratulates all of the nominees on this immense honor.

www.hrc.org/blog/emmy-nominations-for-lgbtq-shows-many-transgender-centric-standouts?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Institutionalizing U.S. LGBT Work Abroad

With the Obama Administration beginning to wind down, HRC and its allies have begun taking steps to ensure that the significant and historic progress made on LGBTQ rights during the last eight years will be continued by the next administration. This includes the enormous strides taken to prioritize LGBTQ human rights in U.S. foreign policy agencies.

“President Obama has taken a number of historic steps to prioritize the human rights of LGBTQ people around the world,” said David Stacy, HRC’s Government Affairs Director. “It is crucial that this work continue in the years ahead, no matter who sits in the Oval Office next year, so that LGBTQ people around the world continue to feel the vital support of the U.S. government.”

Most recently, a group of 85 Members of Congress, both from the House and Senate, signed on to a letter authored by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), which called for “the institutionalization of programs that address the global challenges of the LGBT community.”

The letter was addressed to Secretary of State John Kerry and Gayle Smith, the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and called on them to support “robust funding for USAID’s LGBT portfolio” as well as “the creation of permanent positions at USAID” to focus on LGBT human rights. The letter’s signers also “strongly urge full support for institutionalizing the Department of State Office of the Special Envoy,” a position now occupied by Randy Berry. “This will be critical to its ability to carry out its mission in the years ahead — affirming and strengthening the U.S. commitment to LGBT equality as a permanent and critical component of our international human rights policy.”

The letter from the Members of Congress follows a letter that HRC sent last month, along with the Council for Global Equality and the American Jewish World Service, calling for USAID “to direct available funding towards strengthening USAID’s commitment to protecting LGBTI populations.” This would be done “by increasing staffing levels within USAID’s LGBTI Office and through financial resources to LGBTI populations and civil society abroad.”Some of the major Obama Administration achievements on LGBTQ human rights abroad include:

• A 2011 Presidential Memorandum on International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons, the first ever of its kind;
• Launching the Global Equality Fund in 2011, a private-public partnership that provides resources and diplomatic support to civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders working to advance and protect the rights of LGBTI persons in over eighty countries.
• The appointment of LGBT-focused staff at USAID in 2014; and
• The 2015 creation at the U.S. State Department of the position of Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons.

www.hrc.org/blog/institutionalizing-u.s.-lgbt-work-abroad?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: Mourning Those Lost in Orlando

Today, we continue to mourn those lost in Orlando and remember the lives of the many — almost all LGBTQ Latinx people — who were taken far too soon.

This is what we currently know about the 49 victims, whose names have all been released. Names marked with an asterisk were recently added. 53 others were injured. Recent reports list six in critical condition.  

Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Originally from Massachusetts, Stanley worked as a pharmacy technician in Clermont, Florida. Friends have been taking to social media to comment on his “bubbly,” “down to earth” personality.

Photo credit: Stanley Almodovar III’s Facebook page.

Amanda Alvear, 25
Amanda was a beloved sister and godmother. Before the shooting, Amanda posted videos to Snapchat showing herself and friend, Mercedez Marisol Flores, dancing and enjoying themselves at Pulse. Mercedez was another victim of the shooting.

Photo credit: Amanda Alvear’s Facebook page.

Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Friends Simon and Oscar were at Pulse together. “I’m so heartbroken that you guys and so many other friends lost their lives in such a senseless act. I pray for strength and courage for us all,” a friend wrote on Facebook.

Photo credit: Oscar A. Aracena-Montero’s Facebook page.

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29*
Darryl was a financial aid officer at Keiser University and a passionate volunteer. The president of the Jacksonville Jaycees, which Darryl was a member of, described him as “always interested in a positive impact on people’s lives in the community.”

Photo credit: Jacksonville Jaycees’ Facebook page.

Juan Chavez-Martinez, 25*
Juan, a Davenport resident, was known by his colleagues as a kind and loving person. This Facebook lists his hometown as Huichapan, Mexico.

Photo credit: Fusion’s Facebook page.

Luis Daniel Conde, 39*
Luis, originally from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, was with his loving partner, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez at Pulse; both men were killed in the shooting. Conde was known by his loved ones as a fun-loving person with a great sense of humor.

Photo credit: Nelida Rubio Bauza’s Facebook page.

Cory James Connell, 21*
Cory was well-loved; his teachers described him as “their all-time favorite” student. His brother took to Facebook to share his grief: “The world lost an amazing soul, today. God just got the best of angels.”

Photo credit: Cory James Connell’s Facebook page.

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25
Anthony was a graduate of the University of the Sacred Heart in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where he studied education. He was a well-known drag artist in Orlando, performing as Alanis Laurell.

Photo credit: Lucas Daniel Acosta D’oleo’s Facebook page.

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
Deonka, known as Dee Dee, was working at Pulse when the massacre occurred, according to a family member. “Senseless,” her aunt wrote on Facebook. “R.I.P. Dee Dee. You know this Auntie will miss you.”

Photo credit: Patricia Drayton Banks’ Facebook page.

Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Simon was a manager at McDonald’s who was well loved — he was known for bringing in cakes to celebrate the birthdays of each and every employee. Simon and his partner, Oscar Aracena-Montero, were killed just after returning from vacation at Niagara Falls.

Photo credit: Simon Adrian Carillo Fernandez’s Facebook page.

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Mercedez was at Pulse with her friend, Amanda Alvear, when the shooting occurred. She was a student at Valencia Community College and worked at the local Target.

Photo credit: Mercedez Marisol Flores’ Facebook page.

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Peter worked at UPS and spent his high school years in New Jersey. On Facebook, his mother thanked everyone for reaching out and expressed “deep and immense pain” at the loss of her son.

Photo credit: Facebook.

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
According to reports, Juan was at the club with his boyfriend, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, at the time of shooting. Both men died.

Photo credit: Juan Ramon Guerrero’s Instagram.

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
A resident of Apopka, Florida, Miguel worked for FajitaMex Mexican Catering. On Facebook, his brother wrote: “I can’t face the fact that my blood brother is gone. May your soul rest in peace Brother. I love you so much.”

Photo credit: Miguel Angel Honorato’s Facebook page.

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Javier, of Orlando, worked as a supervisor at Gucci. He was originally from Guayama, Puerto Rico, and studied at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. Said one Facebook friend: “Your energy and love of life and of all things beautiful was infectious…You were one of a kind.”

Photo credit: Harvey George Kings’ Facebook page.

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19*
Jason was an ambitious young man with many passions — computers, athletics and photography. Jason’s uncle described him as “very excited about his journey.”

Photo credit: Jason Bebe’s Facebook page.

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
Eddie was an accountant and loved to make other people smile. He was able to text his mother before he died Sunday night — saying that he loved her and to call the police.

Photo credit: Courtney Robinson’s Facebook page.

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
A Cuban news source identified Alejandro, and spoke with his family and friends, who described him as “always very positive.”

Photo credit: Cubanos Por El Mundo

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Gilberto studied health care management at Ana G. Méndez University, and worked as a sales associate at Speedway. He was originally from Manatí, Puerto Rico.

Photo credit: Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez’s Facebook page.

K.J. Morris, 37
K.J. was a bouncer at Pulse, known for her excellent dancing and amazing smile that could light up a room. She previously lived in Massachusetts.

Photo credit: K.J. Morris’ Facebook page.

Akyra Monet Murray, 18*
Akyra was a recent graduate from West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia, where she was a top student and top athlete on the women’s basketball team. She had recently signed to play at Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania.

Photo credit: West Philadelphia Catholic High School Alums’ Facebook page.

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
Omar loved to dance, and dreamed of becoming a performer. He grew up in Nashville, Tenn., and worked at a local Target and Starbucks.

Photo credit: Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo’s Facebook page.

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25*
Geraldo, known as “Drake Ortiz” to his closest friends, was originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and studied law at the Universidad Del Este in Carolina.

Photo credit: Drake Ortiz’s Facebook page.

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Originally from Puerto Rico, Eric worked at a Party City and Sunglasses Hut. He had been married about a year and on Sunday morning his husband frantically called friends and family when he couldn’t connect with Eric.

Photo credit: Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera’s Facebook page.

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32*
Joel love dancing, and is remembered as humble and cheerful. He was also a religious man, and attended church in Winter Garden.

Photo credit: Joel Rayon’s Facebook page.

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
Jean Carlos and Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon were loving partners; both men were killed in the shooting. The couple met at the perfume shop at which Jean Carlos worked.

Photo credit: Jean Carlos Mendez Perez’s Facebook page.

Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
Enrique, from Brooklyn, New York, was vacationing in Orlando at the time of the attack. He had been working as a coordinator at True Care Home Health Care, and studied social work at St. Francis College. His mother said her family has been “torn apart.”

Photo credit: Enrique L. Rios Jr.’s Facebook page.

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Xavier was the father of a young son, and worked as an entertainer at Splash Bar in Panama City Beach, Florida. He was a mentor to many of his coworkers, who described him as “quick with a smile.”

Photo credit: Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado’s Facebook page.

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Edward handled brand management for Al and Chuck Travel, an agency that plans vacations for the LGBTQ community. On hearing news of Edward’s death, his boss Al Ferguson spent time with Edward’s family at the hospital.

Photo credit: Edward Sotomayor Jr.’s Facebook page.

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33*
Shane was a gifted singer who performed as the frontman for the band, Frequency. He had a vibrant and charismatic stage presence, and was at Pulse following a performance at a local club.

Photo credit: Shane Tomlinson’s Facebook page.

Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Martin is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he studied at the Ana G. Méndez University system. He was in Orlando visiting his family.

Photo credit: Martin Benitez Torres’ Facebook page.

Franky Jimmy De Jesús Velazquez, 50
Frankie was a visual merchandiser at Forever 21 and studied at InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico. His family took to Facebook to share their love of Franky, saying “What happened in Orlando affects all of us because it is an act of hate against the freedom to be who you are.”

Photo credit: Vane La Croix’s Facebook page.

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37*
Juan was the owner of D’Magazine Salon and Spa in Kissimmee, Florida. Originally from Puerto Rico, Juan was at Pulse with his longtime partner Luis Conde for a friend’s birthday celebration.

Photo credit: Juan P. Rivera’s Facebook page.

Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis was a student at Seminole State College and worked as an operator for Universal Studios’ Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. On Sunday, J.K. Rowling shared her heartbreak.

Photo credit: Luis Vielma’s Facebook page.

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Luis and Jean Carlos Mendez Perez were loving partners; both men were killed in the shooting. Luis was a Puerto Rico native and his friends describe him as a protector, confidant and hero.

Photo credit: Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon’s Facebook page.

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31*
Jerald was an employee at Walt Disney World, and was well loved by both of his families — his biological one and his Disney family. He was at Pulse to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

Photo credit: Jerry Wright’s Facebook page.

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25*
Leroy was a leasing agent at an Orlando apartment complex and a vibrant performer who loved Beyonce, Adele and Jennifer Lopez. His friend described her grief: “It just feels very quiet now.”

Photo credit: Yolanda Quiñones’ Facebook page.

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25*
Tevin, a Michigan native, was the ambitious owner of Total Entrepreneurs Concepts. He was visiting Orlando after traveling to watch his nieces and nephews graduate.

Photo credit: Tevin Crosby’s Facebook page.

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24*
Jonathan worked for a Spanish TV network as a producer of a popular children’s talent competition. He was a member the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in Puerto Rico before moving to Florida.

Photo credit: Jonathan A. Camuy’s Facebook page.

Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez, 27*
Jean Carlos was a manager at a local McDonald’s, and was known for being incredibly dependable. His closest friends describe him as “just a caring, loving guy — just like a big teddy bear.”

Photo credit: Mariluz Calderon’s Facebook page.

Rodolfo Ayala, 33*
Rodolfo was a biologics assistant at the OneBlood donation center — a donation center that has been working to supply blood to the survivors of the shooting. His friend described him as compassionate and said that he loved his career.

Photo credit: Rodolfo Ayala’s Facebook page.

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49*
Brenda was a two-time cancer survivor and real estate agent. She was a mother of 12, and was at Pulse with one of her sons for a night of dancing.

Photo credit: Brenda McCool’s Facebook page.

Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24*
Yilmary was a wife, a sister and a mother of two sons, Jariel and Sergio. Her sister described her as the most loving and caring person you could ever meet, saying “her smile lit up the room and her laughter brought a smile to your heart.”

Photo credit: Paul Myhill’s Facebook page.

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32*
Drew was with his partner, Juan Ramon Guerrero, at the time of the shooting. Both men died. Drew had a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and founded a Gay-Straight Alliance in his high school.

Photo credit: Drew Leinonen’s Facebook page.

Angel Luis Candelario-Padro, 28*
Angel moved to Orlando from Chicago, and started a job as an ophthalmic technician only four days before the shooting. He is from Guánica, Puerto Rico, and described himself online as “adventurous, easygoing and responsible.”

Photo credit: Angel Candelario’s Facebook page.

Frankie Hernandez, 27*
Frankie was a loving big brother who taught his little sisters how to walk in heels and to do their hair and makeup. Frankie has a tattoo on his upper right arm reading “love has no gender,” and moved to Orlando from Louisiana.

Photo credit: Aquí Estamos RGV’s Facebook page.

Paul Terrell Henry, 41*
Paul was planning to return to college. He was a Chicago native, and loved dancing and playing pool. He had two children — including a daughter who just graduated from high school.

Photo credit: Jemuel Carty’s Facebook page.

Antonio Davon Brown, 29*
Antonio was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. He had previously been a member of the Army Officers’ Training Corps at Florida A&M University.

Photo credit: Florida A&M University

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24*
Christopher worked at a local bank and was known for having a positive outlook on life. He was very close to his family, and told family members earlier in the weekend that he planned to go to Pulse with friends.

Photo credit: Christopher Sanfeliz’s Facebook page.

———————————————————————————————–

For those looking to help the victims and their families, as well as lift up your LGBTQ loved ones during this time, HRC has highlighted four ways to come together to show your support. You may also support the victims and their families by donating to Equality Florida’s Go Fund Me page.

A LOOK AT THEIR STORIES: The Orlando Sentinel is honoring the memory of each of the victims by recounting stories from friends, coworkers and loved ones. Two of these stories — of Angel Luis Candelario-Padro and Jonathan Camuy — celebrate the drive of two people who had recently moved to Orlando to pursue their passions. The Florida publication also lifted up the story of Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, a two-time cancer survivor, who went out to Pulse’s Latin night to dance with her son, a survivor of the attack… In a heartbreaking account, TIME shared the story of partners Juan Ramon Guerrero and Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, victims of the attack who planned to get married but will now have a joint funeral instead… HRC and BuzzFeed also hail the heroes who stayed behind at Pulse to save the lives of countless survivors of the attack. These are just a few of the stories that, even in this time of immense grief, are reminding us all of our common humanity. Read and share.

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-mourning-those-lost-in-orlando?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed