Remembering Pulse Nightclub Five Years Later

Today Is the fifth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. It happened early on a Sunday morning. I remember the day of the week because I woke up to the tragedy as I was getting ready for worship, and it changed the trajectory of what we did and said that morning. 

It was also the day of the Tony Awards–the year that Hamilton would sweep those awards, its cast performed without their musket props out of respect to those who had lost their lives to gun violence and Lin-Manuel Miranda gave his famous Love is Love is Love is Love speech. 

It was the confluence of (at least) three of the worst things that continue to plague our country today: hatred of immigrants, homophobia and gun violence. Forty-nine people died and 50 were wounded.

On the fifth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub massacre, may we remember:

To seek justice and love kindness and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)

To be angry and outraged, but not to become bitter (Ephesians 4:31)

That there are always more of those who are with us than those who are with them. (2 Kings 6:16)

We are never alone (Psalm 46:1)

To pray for those who wield any religion as a weapon. (No scripture reference. Just me.)

Most of all, may we remember that we, and everyone one we meet, is a beloved child of God…and then act accordingly.


Rev. Anne Russ is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), currently based in New York City. Doubting Believer provides tools and encouragement for the rollercoaster ride of your faith journey. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube. You can also follow on TikTok. Get emails to keep up with all that is happening.

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