Less than two days after LGBT rights group Equality Florida launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe dedicated to the victims of this weekend’s Orlando shooting, the initiative has officially surpassed $3 million thanks to over 69,000 supporters.
As previously reported, the horrific shooting in Orlando’s club, Pulse, left 49 clubgoers dead and 53 injured. The non-profit organization shared:
“We are reeling from the tragic news that a gunman opened fire on the 2am capacity crowd at Pulse leaving 50 people dead and over 50 injured according to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again destroyed lives in our state and in our country.
“Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety. June commemorates our community standing up to anti-LGBTQ violence at the Stonewall Inn, the nightclub that has become the first LGBTQ site recognized as a national monument. We have received a steady stream of emails and messages from those seeking to help or to make sense of the senseless. We make no assumptions on motive. We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger. We stand in solidarity and keep our thoughts on all whose lives have been lost or altered forever in this tragedy.”
Speaking about the constant support, Equality Florida previously stated:
“We are beyond moved by the support from all corners of the world and all walks of life. From average Americans, large corporations, celebrities, musicians, artists, and political figures, over 65,000 donations have been made towards Equality Florida’s Pulse Victim Fund, totaling to$2.8 million dollars. We do not know the total costs for the victims of this horrific hate crime, therefore are working to raise as much as possible and disperse the funds as fast as possible.”
Following the campaign’s debut, GoFundMe announced it was giving $100,000 to the victims.
“Today, GoFundMe donated $100,000 to the campaign supporting victims of the horrific shooting at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando, Florida. Started by Equality Florida, an LGBT advocacy organization, the campaign is the second largest and fastest growing in GoFundMe’s history, so far raising more than $1.8 million.”
Equality Florida went on commented on GoFundMe’s donation:
“We are so grateful for all of the support the Go Fund Me team has provided.”
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