This concert was postponed because of Hurricane Irma. It was rescheduled for November 4th at 6 pm at the Timucua White House (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806.) All proceeds benefited Proyecto Somos Orlando (the funds will benefit Pulse survivors and and also Puerto Rico relief efforts). My short film, “Finger on the Pulse,” was also screened.
Leonard Bernstein said, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devoted than ever before.” This evening was a celebration of Orlando’s community and healing and was hosted by Luis Martinez.
Proyecto Somos Orlando is a one-stop shop wraparound service program created in the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy to provide critical support to the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community regarding issues of mental health and education.
The program featured 10 performances of songs from operas and Broadway shows. My sketch featured soprano Arleen Ramirez. Jessica Devaney showed a short film called “Love the Sinner.” The filmmaker grew up in a church with strict moral codes. Later in life she fell in love with another woman and her place in the church was no longer secure. The church considered her life style a sin. In an incredible interview with a pastor, she explained to him that she could go to church alone but her partner would feel unwelcome. He began to question his own moral code.
The final performance of the evening, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel left the tone of hope for the future. Being a privileged white heterosexual male citizen, I have never had to face bigotry and hatred in person. Since Pulse, I have heard so many stories of the bigotry that still remains today and is even encouraged by the President. We have a long road ahead of us. Every day seems to bring a new storm. Something somewhere has to give.