One Orlando Alliance organized an Orlando Vigil for Las Vegas

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The lawn in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts was packed with thousands of people 16 months ago after the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Tears were shed and strangers hugged one another in a truly moving vigil to honor the victims of the nightclub shooting. Days after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, the same stage was erected in the Dr. Phillips lawn to show solidarity and support for that city which is now the site of the largest mass shooting in American history with 58 victims to date. 515 others are injured, so that number may well rise as people fight for their lives.

Pam Schwartz and I arrived a bit early expecting to find the lawn crowded with Orlando citizens who who would show their support for such a tragic event. The lawn was strangely empty. One third of the lawn was a construction zone for the new Dr. Phillips theater being built.  The entire area was surrounded by temporary concert barricades. There was no crowd to contain. A single wreath stood on a tripod in front of the stage. The press huddled together on the walkway opposite me. Desperate for some sort of story, a young reporter asked to interview me, but I explained that I had a limited amount of time to finish my sketch so I couldn’t stop to talk.

The green lawn remained empty the entire time I sketched. I had looked at some of the video footage from Las Vegas earlier that day and recall seeing people running for their lives or lying on the grass hoping not to get hit by the bullets raining down from 32 stories above. The Dr. Phillips lawn, surrounded by humble Orlando high rises, wasn’t much different than the Las Vegas field where concert goers were massacred. One Orlando high rise had several windows blown out from hurricane Irma, just as the Las Vegas gunman had blown out his hotel room window to massacre the crowd below.

Dozens of people showed up to the vigil held in Orlando. Any photos of the vigil show a few people together in closely cropped shots.  Perhaps it was just to soon. The staff at the History Center said that they just weren’t ready to accept or digest that such a horrific incident had happened so soon after the incident at Pulse. Days after the Las Vegas shooting, rainbow flags appeared on all the Orlando downtown street lights. I thought this was in solidarity for the Las Vegas shooting but it might just have been in preparation for the Gay Pride Parade coming up next week.

Someone removed the metal steps that lead up to the stage. A source at The Center said that a permit had not been applied for and thus
no one was allowed to go up on the stage. How amazing that such red tape should
come from a city who had just experienced mass murder 16 months earlier. One Orlando Alliance organizers stated that a radio station set up the stage just for the amplification and they didn’t want any speakers.

Five or six of the 49 angels in action arrived and stood silent in
front of the stage, their fabric wings flapping in the breeze.

 one PULSE Foundation president, Barbara Poma, spoke to the small group gathered from behind the stage. Her online statement read, “Finding words to convey the depth of horror we are all witnessing in
Las Vegas is just impossible. It is unimaginable that another mass
shooting of even greater scope than that of Pulse Nightclub could occur
again in this country, but indeed, it has. We must work harder to stop
these crimes that destroy human life. We pray for those whose lives were
taken, as well as for the wounded and the hundreds who will forever be affected by this monumental tragedy.”

The Orange County Property Appraiser arrived to get his picture taken in a tuxedo in front of a banner which people signed in support of Las Vegas. Mayor Buddy Dyer made a cameo and disappeared quickly. I recognized some of the Pulse family and activists like the Eskamani sisters who truly made a difference in our city following the Pulse shooting. A GoFundMe set up by Ida Eskamani for Equality Florida raised more that 2.4 million dollars for Pulse victims families. With Hurricane Maria causing so much damage in Puerto Rico, many Hispanic activists are perhaps occupied with that cause.

The Vigil held at the Dr. Phillips for Las Vegas was a small gathering by a few of Orlando’s core activists but the impression it left with me was apparent indifference by the community as a whole. The Methodist Church bells rang for each victim of the
Las Vegas shooting. I left disheartened.  The faces of the beautiful people lost in Las Vegas are just now
appearing online. All of those lost have not yet been identified. Perhaps people stayed home because mass murder is now the norm. A mass murder is defined as 4 people dying in a single gun related incident. Close to one mass shooting happens every day in America.

Pam was going to the Savoy to be a Celebrity Bartender. That event would raise funds to help The Center which is a refuge and family for the LGBT community as well as playing an important role in testing and treating sexually transmitted diseases. Sketching that event felt more supportive to an organization that makes a positive change in the Orlando community. Life goes on as social services struggle to stay afloat. I needed a stiff drink. How we memorialize is becoming increasingly important as these shootings are becoming more common.

P.S. Justine Thompson Cowan, one of the events organizers reported that
City representatives were willing to do whatever it took, helped with
permitting, and opened up garages for free parking, spending staff
resources to pull it together. He stayed
until the end and joined with what he estimated to be about 250 people as
they heard the bells toll, the Orlando Gay Chorus sing and spread out
into the audience with their voices that touched their hearts. She felt
solace. She felt companionship. And maybe even a bit of hope.

George Wilson discusses his Photojournalism following the Pulse shooting.

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Orlando is George Wilson‘s adopted home town. His wife works for Disney. It was in the 1980’s that George began to shoot news work.

On June 12, 2016 when he heard about the Pulse Nightclub shooting his first impulse was to go straight to the nightclub. The closest he could get was to park at Orange Avenue and Michigan Street. All of the press were gathered a Chipolte. His first photo was of an Orlando Strong sign being put up on the MacDonald’s sign on Orange Avenue. He overheard a first responder talking about all the unanswered cell phones ringing incessantly inside the club, never to be answered. The camera became a barrier between the photographer and the event or the emotion of the event. Only later when he was alone and editing all the photos would the emotions well up.

One of his photos was of three girls, Jordan Tarquino, Lola Selsky, and Megan Boetto who often went to Pulse nightclub. When they saw each other outside the crime scene they all hugged, thankful to find that they all were alive. The Dr. Phillips memorial was his most emotional story. Strangers hugged each other and cried together.

Georges photos were picked up by Deutsche Presse Agentur, the German Press Agency, and distributed around the world as far away as Bangladesh. The power of the Internet and the photograph puts news and events in front of everyone around the globe. The Internet offers news in short snippets which doesn’t allow us  to become attached to anything.

George never felt unsafe while shooting his photos. The LGBT Community Center had a sign on the door on the first day that said, “We will search bags.” Fear had replaced the security the Center had once been able to offer. George applied for a Pulitzer prize for his photojournalist work following Pulse. Although he didn’t win the award, he was glad he got to share his story for consideration.

He donated a collection of photos, cover sheets from publications from around the world in various languages and copies of his Pulitzer application. The newspaper cover sheets were utilized in the Orlando Regional History Center‘s One Year After Exhibition to let people see just some of the international outpouring of love that followed the shooting. Orlando now has the misfortune of being a location the largest mass shooting in American history. Georges photos help the world to
understand our pain, our suffering, and our resolve to try and make it
stop here.

Getting tested at the Center.

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Now that I have been separated for more than a year, I have had several relationships. To be safe, I decided to go to The Center, (946 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803). STD testing is free and the results are returned within 12 minutes. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are tested through urine. The syphilis test is a finger prick, and the results are available within a few minutes. Of course waiting for the testing is what takes time. I finished 2 sketches in the time it took for me to go in for my test. The HIV test results are considered 99% accurate, so I will be returning for a second test just to be 100% certain. Orange County reported the third highest number of HIV cases in 2014 and the state leads the nation in the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases.

A case worker went over the results with me and his assessment of the statistics of STDs in Central Florida were astounding. As he put it, Whorlando is the first in the country for cases of Syphilis, third in the country for Chlamydia, and fifth in the country for Gonorrhea. The number of cases reported rose by over 10,000 in 2015.


The Center for Disease Control published its study on sexually transmitted diseases, reviewing rates from 2015, and found an increase in chlamydia and gonorrhea. Syphilis
rates increased the most among the three diseases, seeing a 19 percent
increase from 2014. Rates among women went up 27.3 percent, and 18.1
percent among men. Rates of reported chlamydia cases increased by 5.9 percent when compared to 2014 numbers.


Women with chlamydia increased 3.8 percent from 2014, and 10.5 percent among men in the same year. Gonorrhea cases increased by 12.8 percent when compared to the previous year. Men saw the largest increase at 18.3 percent, while women diagnosed with gonorrhea increased by a rate of 6.8 percent.

The alarming rate of STD infections increasing across the country has been attributed to the closing of 21 health care facilities. A younger demographic also seems to feel they are immune or can get early treatment, despite their lack of knowledge. We are lucky to still have the Center here in Orlando. The Center was ground zero after the Pulse Nightclub massacre. Since I have been so involved in following Orlando’s healing process after that horrible night, it makes sense for me to frequent the Center to be sure I am healthy.

Photographer J.D. Casto remembers Pulse.

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J.D. Casto is a filmmaker turned photographer. The day before the Pulse night club shooting on June 12th 2016, he was dog sitting. That evening he started to get texts asking if he was safe. He immediately started checking online news sources and once he found 3 sources that confirmed that there was a shooting at the Pulse nightclub, he packed his camera in his bag. at 10:07pm he found a report that the first shot was fired. at 11:20 he found a report that five were dead and others injured. He rushed out to shoot photos. He caught an amazing series of photos at The Center as everyone watched the news in disbelief. He watched the entire city go through the stages of grief. All city organizations became fatigued. As an artist he had a war board to keep track of all the events he shot photos of. He worked 20 hour days. The camera offered security. For him photos give some form of closure.

After Pulse crazies crawled out of the wood work. One con-artist used the outpouring of generosity following the Pulse shootings to convince organizations to give him money which he then pocketed. The same thing happened after the Boston Bombings. On Facebook, angry people sent survivors photos of victims. Gift cards were donated for victim’s families and the FBI sat on them. Peoples moral compasses were off. On his right arm, JD got a rose pattern compass tattooed on his arm. The tattoo faces him and he considers it his moral compass. An event like this rips the blinders off and says look, the world is shit and I see it, but how do we make it better? He. wanted to be the one who who says no and stays on course, due north, while others manipulate an already horrific situation.

There was an after party for a Cabaret on the evening of the shooting. Two members walked out as the shooter walked in. A fraternity brother of J.D.’s escaped, but he lost a friend named Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado that night. He became extremely active n the Orlando Gay chorus after Pulse. He talked about a huge chorus gala held in Colorado shortly after the shooting. When the Orlando Gay Chorus arrived they found banners of support hanging everywhere. The performances were in a huge opulent opera house. When the Orlando Gay chorus performed “You Will Never Walk Alone”, the entire audience of 5000 people sang along. Shocked by the outpouring of love, there were unexpected tears on stage. The Orlando Gay Chorus has performed over 400 times since the Pulse shooting. They sang at just about every event I sketched.

Six months after the shootings J.D. was still in triage mode, still shooting photos. Being gay shouldn’t define a person. Intolerance is intolerance, is
intolerance. This horrific event forced peoples hands so that perhaps
some good can come of it. He hasn’t had time to settle in here in Orlando. He still doesn’t have a couch. However, Orlando has become his home. He has found his groove and is rooted in Downtown and found his place in the community.

Wicked After Dark at the Abbey.

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The Broadway National Tour cast of Wicked came to The Abbey,  (100 S Eola Dr #100, Orlando, FL 32801) for a one-night only charitable cabaret concert benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity fights AIDS and the GLBT Center of Central Florida. Net proceeds (ticket sales included) from the benefit
will specifically help fund counseling for the community, survivors,
and family members affected by the Pulse tragedy. Counseling services
will be needed for at least the next five years, and The Center Orlando
has pledged that it will make these services available to the community
on walk-in basis, free of charge, for as long as it is needed.

The opening act was by Wicked Alumna, Broadway veteran, X-Factor star, Nashville recording artist and Florida native Rachel Potter with her band, Steel Union. Rachel had a new born and she said that the baby had slept through the night for the first time ever on the evening before the performance. She had worked at Disney World as The Little Mermaid for five years after college. After a full set with Steel Union she offered to sing as Ariel. The audience joined in as she sang, “I want mooore.” Her Disney roots won the audience. She played down her X-Factor experience saying that at least s gained a few twitter followers. Rachel went on to perform a solo from Wicked that got a standing ovation.

Song and dance performances by the cast members of Wicked followed. The Abbey house lights went black, and I had to stop sketching for fear that my tablet glow might ruin the experience for other audience members. The opening number featured wicked actresses in sexy black lace and garters dancing to the sexy and risque Cabaret. “We have no troubles here. Here life is beautiful!” Rosy, Lulu, Frenchy, and Texas gyrated with abandon.All our troubles were left outside.

Wicked After Dark was produced by the company members of Wicked themselves. This post-Wicked performance cabaret was an opportunity for cast members to step out of their roles in the musical and kick up their heels performing some of their favorite non-Ozian material. On actor who is the understudy for OZ took to the stag with a guitar and cowboy hat. His microphone had to be adjusted endlessly. As a tech struggled, he said, “Well this had better be worth it. No pressure.” The audience laughed. He then sang an original balled about love lost. The gentle lyrics bemoaned his confusion and pain. Then be paused. The next line was something like. “What I wish for you is… Herpes.” The audience went crazy. Michael Wanzie shouted out, “It was so worth it!

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. It offers an ongoing, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, The organization raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988,  more than $150 million has been raised for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other serious illnesses. For more information, visit www.broadwaycares.org.
 

The Center was the first agency on the scene of the Pulse Orlando tragedy on the morning of June 12, 2016; within two hours had more than 600 volunteers and community members inside its doors, had rallied more than 600 crisis counselors to the area, and had coordinated the distribution of supplies to first responders, hospitals, families, blood banks and more. Since that day, as well as its regular operations, The Center now also staffs the Orlando United Assistance Center which is the mail portal for the survivors and the families of the deceased; The Center was described as “Ground Zero for victim and family recovery” by President Obama. For more information, visit www.thecenterorlando.org.

“Angel Action Wings For Orlando” Find New Home at The GLBT Community Center Of Central Florida.

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Orlando Shakespeare Theater (The Shakes) in Partnership with UCF permanently relocated the “Angel Action Wings for Orlando” to The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida (The Center). The “Angel Action Wings for Orlando” were originally constructed by volunteers from the community to shield mourners from anti-gay protesters during the funerals of Pulse massacre victims. They have since been used at the “Beautiful Together” benefit concert held at the Dr. Phillips Center and other local and national community events, including the recent Orlando “Come Out with Pride Parade” on Saturday, November 12, 2016.


 The wings were first used to block a hate group after the Matthew Shepard murder in 1998. After Pulse, the Shakespeare Scenic Shop built 49 Angel wings. “Orlando’s Angel Wings have become an inspiring image of love and unity in our community,” said Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. “We have been honored to use them to pay tribute to those who lost their lives because they chose to love openly and wholly. In the end, love always wins.”

Due to the demanding performance
schedule of Orlando Shakes, The Center has graciously agreed to assume
responsibility of the “Angel Wings.” With this transition, the Center will
manage the future use of the “Angel Wings.” All funds raised to support the
care of the “Angel Wings” have been passed along to the Center as well.

“The Center is very honored to
accept responsibility for the “Angel Action Wings for Orlando,” said Terry
DeCarlo, Executive Director of The Center. “Personally knowing the history of
the wings, what they stand for, and their specific mission, The Center is prepared
to take on this assignment and will treat the wings with the utmost respect.
The Center will also be creating a community “Angel Force” made up of
individuals who will be trained and dispatched to special events where the
wings are needed.”

In addition to the 49 sets of “Angel
Wings” provided to the Center, two sets of “Angel
Wings” were also donated to the Orange County Regional History Center today for
a new community display.

“It has been a privilege to be the
guardians of the Angel Wings over the past several months,” said Helsinger. “We
look forward to seeing them shed light and love in our community in their new
home at The Center.”