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The city of Orlando, renowned celebrities, and House Democrats all came together to mark the one-month anniversary of the country’s deadliest mass shooting in history.
Even as gun violence becomes a terrifying new normal in the U.S., the LGBT community isn't forgetting the horror of last month's shooting in Orlando so easily.
July 12 marked one month since Omar Mateen opened fire on the Latin night crowd at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. His attack, the worst single-person mass shooting in U.S. history, claimed the lives of 49 LGBTS and allies and injured 53 others.
In the city and across the country, activists, celebrities, and politicians alike paid tribute to the victims. Here are five of the best tributes to the victims.
1. 49 crosses removed for permanent memorial in Orlando
Families and friends of the victims--as well as locals from the city--gathered outside Orlando Regional Health Center for a candlelight vigil in front of 49 crosses. The crosses, each displaying the name of a victim of the Pulse shooting, were solemnly removed to be stored with the local historical society. City officials plan a permanent memorial using the crosses.
2. Gun-control advocates stage sit-in at Sen. Marco Rubio's office
Dozens of gun-control supporters pledged a 49-hour sit-in--one hour for each victim--at the Florida senator's office to protest Congress's inaction on gun-control reform. Police arrested 10 of the protesters. The protesters laid out 49 roses on pieces of white paper, each displaying the name of one of the victims.
3. "Hands" lyric video released on YouTube
The ensemble tribute song to the Orlando victims--which included 24 musical artists--got a lyric video Tuesday. The lyrics were written on the hands on famous LGBT YouTubers such as Connor Franta, Sam Tsui, and Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix. Watch the moving tribute below.
4. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jennifer Lopez perform original tribute song, "Love Make the World Go Round"
The Hamilton legend and pop singer teased an original tribute song for the Orlando victims, but they gave a full performance on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon. Lopez thrilled with an inspiring performance as segments of Miranda's Tony acceptance speech played along and photos of the victims appeared behind. Watch the performance below.
5. House Democrats hold day of remembrance
Openly gay Rep. David Cicilline and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus held a vigil Tuesday to remember the victims, reading their names aloud and speaking on the need for LGBT equality and gun-control reform. On the same day, the House Oversight Committee held a hearing on a federal "religious freedom" bill that opponents have said would create sweeping anti-LGBT discrimination. On the hearing, Cicilline told Out: "This is wrong. Fairness and equality are core American values. And in 2016, no American should ever be made to feel less than equal - least of all by their elected Representatives."
