When tragedy strikes afar, especially when it involves guns, sometimes we just don’t know what to do. You can grab your loved ones close, you can stand in solidarity with your LGBTQ friends, you can rage rage rage into Facebook memes and tweets, you can watch Sam Bee or John Oliver “eviscerate” the issue, but, here in New York, you still feel so far from actually doing anything. Does this online petition actually help? Does this rainbow flag avatar do any good? What, exactly, is the fuck up with the rest of the country who go buy more guns after every mass shooting so they can sit on a throne of guns and have little gun babies with gun hobbies and gun Snapchat accounts?
I don’t know the answer to these things, but at least in New York, you can take a break from arguing on Facebook about it and get up and do something about the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. Here are some Orlando-related vigils and events coming up today and in the near future, and other ways to donate and help. Stay tuned; we’ll keep updating this post as more come in.
_____________
The Bushwick venue is dedicating its events tonight and Wednesday to the Orlando victims. They say:
“Wednesday night is FREE (donations accepted) and its all about hot flesh — spinning on poles, sizzling on grills, and covered in colors. If you want to throw down for a good cause, let me know- kaeburke@gmail.com.”
Wednesday (6/15), 8pm-late, House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
_____________
House of Yes Glitter Ball Fundraiser
On Sunday the venue is holding a bigger fundraiser, “a night of extravagant generosity and defiant expression, dedicated to helping the victims and families of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy.Dance with your heart, love with your body, express yourself louder for those who cannot. Wear your most ridiculous, glittering and fabulous attire. This is The Glitterball, damnit. Be the queen.”
All tickets and door proceeds will be donated to the Pulse Victims Fund:
Sunday (6/19), 8pm, $5-$50, House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
_____________
#SayTheirNames: A Fundraiser for the Victims of Pulse Nightclub
Bed-Stuy’s C’mon Everybody is hosting this daylong event to remember the victims of the shooting. From noon-6pm, djs will take over the main room, from 6pm-8pm a more intimate gathering will be held in the front room; from 3:30pm-4:30pm, the names of the victims will be read. The suggested donation is $5 or more if you can afford it; 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the families; the bar will be donating 10 percent of its proceeds too.
Sunday (6/19), 12pm-6pm, C’mon Everybody, 325 Franklin Ave.
_____________
COMEDY/OPEN MIC
Our friend Bobby Hankinson is dedicating his next Kweendom comedy show to the situation in Orlando next week. In addition to featured performers including Drae Campbell, the show will have an open mic if you have something you want to say, share, sing, or whatever.
June 23, 8pm, The Unicorn (105 Henry St., Chinatown)
_____________
DONATE
HuffPo gathered some places you can donate to help the victims and their families, including:
Local LGBT civil rights organization Equality Florida has set up a GoFundMe page to support the Pulse nightclub shooting victims and their families. More than $1.7 million has already been donated as of Monday afternoon. Donate here.
LOBBY YOUR GODDAMN CONGRESS MEMBER
Find where your congress member stands on gun control and how to contact them to do something about it using this handy Daily Beast site.
DONATE/VOLUNTEER WITH GUN CONTROL GROUPS
This post is four years old. Four. Fucking. Years. Old.