See how cities across the globe memorialized Orlando’s Pulse Massacre

Updated on September 13, 2023

Mourners in Orlando hold candles while observing a moment of silence during a vigil outside the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

It’s been six years since American gunman Omar Mateen launched a murderous assault on Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Despite increasing gun violence throughout the country, the Pulse Massacre remains the largest mass shooting in modern American history–49 people lost their lives and 53 more were seriously wounded.

Rob Domenico, a board member of The Center Orlando, said “absolute devastation” was felt across Orlando‘s LGBTQ community. “We need to put the ‘unity’ back in ‘community’ and to stand up, to show love and compassion to those going through this horrible travesty.”

Cities across the globe heard that call, demonstrating the true resilience and global solidarity of our LGBTQ community in the face of violence and hate.

Berlin, Germany

Photo by Adam Berry via Getty Images

Days after the shooting, mourners gathered in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to light memorial candles as others stood with photographs of victims. Hundreds of gay rights organizations worldwide organized vigils, protests, and memorials in the wake of the mass shooting in 2016.

Los Angeles

Photo by David McNew via Getty Images

In an emotional speech at a vigil in Los Angeles, singer Lady Gaga, a longtime ally of the LGBTQ community, held back tears while reading the names of the dead.

The names of our fallen community members:

Stanley Almodovar III, Amanda Alvear, Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, Martin Benitez Torres, Antonio D. Brown, Darryl R. Burt II, Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, Angel L. Candelario-Padro, Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, Juan Chevez-Martinez, Luis D. Conde, Cory J. Connell, Tevin E. Crosby, Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, Deonka D. Drayton, Mercedez M. Flores, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Juan R. Guerrero, Paul T. Henry, Frank Hernandez, Miguel A. Honorato, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jason B. Josaphat, Eddie J. Justice, Anthony L. Laureano Disla, Christopher A. Leinonen, Brenda L. Marquez McCool, Jean C. Mendez Perez, Akyra Monet Murray, Kimberly Morris, Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Joel Rayon Paniagua, Enrique L. Rios Jr., Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, Christopher J. Sanfeliz, Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Edward Sotomayor Jr., Shane E. Tomlinson, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Luis S. Vielma, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Jerald A. Wright.

New York City

Photo by Spencer Platt via Getty Images

A woman paused while writing the names of Pulse Massacre shooting victims in chalk on the sidewalk at a park across from The Stonewall Inn on June 13, 2016, in New York City.

Stonewall Inn, NYC

Photo by Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of New Yorkers joined the vigil outside Manhattan’s historic Stonewall Inn to express their support for Orlando and mourn the lives lost. Not only is the Pulse Massacre the largest mass shooting in modern American history, but it is also considered the biggest terrorist attack on US soil since 9/11.

Paris, France

Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

A picture taken on June 13, 2016, shows onlookers at the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris as it is illuminated in rainbow colours.

As some may recall, this iconic structure and its surrounding grass fields played host to the Euro World Cup in 2016. It was estimated that hundreds of thousands of Europeans traveled to the City of Light at this time for the event, in addition to Paris’ usual summer visitors, undoubtedly bearing witness to this homage.

Washington, DC

Photo by Mark Wilson via Getty Images

Flags were lowered to half staff on the Washington Monument grounds to honor those killed by the lone 29-year-old gunman. Former President Obama ordered flags to be lowered on all government buildings throughout the capital city.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Photo by Cris Faga/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Brazilian activists filled the night air with the colors of Pride at a vigil in Sao Paulo.

Sydney, Australia

Photo by Daniel Munoz via Getty Images

The evening following the shooting, Australians illuminated the Sydney Harbour Bridge with rainbow colors to stand with Orlando. These were truly shots heard ’round the world.

Brussels, Belgium

Photo by NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP via Getty Images

Belgians stood in front of Hotel de Ville holding giant letters that read “FROM BRUSSELS WITH LOVE” next to rainbow Pride flags during a rally organized by RainbowHouse.

Seoul

Photo by Chung Sung-Jun via Getty Images

South Koreans gathered in downtown Seoul during a candlelight vigil to remember victims.

June 12, 2022, marks the sixth anniversary of this devastating attack. Though time marches on, we will never forget the spirit of Pulse Nightclub, beating in our hearts.

UP NEXT – PHOTOS: Thousands of femmes flock to Orlando for ultimate Lesbian Pride celebration

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