Equality Florida Institute, Inc.

We’ve all been devastated, shocked and horrified by what happened in Orlando over the weekend.

Here at Pulse Communications, sharing the same name as the venue where it happened, we felt compelled to do something.

So we have set up this fundraising page to donate to the families of all those who have been impacted by this tragedy.

For every dollar donated, Pulse Communications will match it and all funds raised will be sent directly to the official 'Support Victims of Pulse Shooting' fundraising page. *Please note, the amount donated is in US$

Pulse Communications works very hard to provide a happy and inclusive workplace where differences are celebrated; indeed we believe passionately that diversity leads to creativity – which is our core offer as a business.

Let’s celebrate diversity in all its forms. We may all be different, but we are all the same.

Hi, my name is Max and I am embarking on an amazing cycling adventure across America this summer!!!

At first, this was an adventure for myself. I wanted to take the time in my life to have explorations. I am 30 and I have never seen half the United States before. I was ready for fresh challenges and wanted to expand my personal experiences. I had the idea for Queer Across America - see what it is like to be LGBT in states that aren't on a coast, where we can become priveleged. I felt like it was time to experience different cultures and people.

In the light of recent events in Orlando, I realized this ride could impact more than just me. On one hand, it is even more urgent to share these values to different communites outside of our San Francisco bubble. On the other hand, this ride could actually become a fundrasier for the victims families and survivors of Orlando.

Now, this ride has become more important to me than ever - to become visible as QUEER! Personal, communal, and political drives have brought me to a new position in standing up for values that have become so important to me over the past year. Taking the values of being openly expressive, openly unapologetic and radiacally self reliant across AMERICA!

At first, I was going to ride for myself. Now, I ride for those that can't.

I invite you to join me on the RAINBOW TOUR by helping me raise $1 for every mile of my 5,000 mile journey. I invite you to donate whatever you can.

ALL PROCEEDS will go to the PULSE VICTIM FUND.

xoxo,

Max (Glitter Sparkle Unicorn)

For over 30 years the "Original Campers" have performed live in the LGBT Community and at Oil Can Harry's bringing laughter and love to everyone.

HEALING THROUGH LAUGHTER!

The Group has put together a special performance of all time favorite numbers to help raise money for the families of the Orlando Shooting at Pulse Nightclub. 

All proceeds from this fund will go diretly to Florida Equality Institute to help the families of our brothers and sisters that were taken too soon by senseless hatred.

Please donate what ever you can and plan to join us, Sunday, August 7th at Oil Can Harry's, 11502 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604, for this special performance to show our solidarity and strength as a community. 

Doors Open at 5pm and the Show begins at 6pm. 

Thank oyu so much for showing your support.  Please consider donating even if you cannot join  us!

The Campers

To My Colleagues, Friends, Family and LGBTQ Brothers and Sisters,

I’m reaching out today in regards to something I feel very passionate about and I’m hopeful that you’ll feel the same. If you wouldn’t mind taking a few moments to read below, I’d really appreciate it! 

The recent horrific incident that occurred in Orlando has shaken me to my core and has been difficult for myself, my friends and my community. As a result, over the past weeks I have struggled with the tragic loss of 49 innocent souls and have been wondering what I can do to help make a difference. While I am just one person, I feel that change has to start somewhere and for me it is a personal journey to turn ‘pain into purpose’ and I’d like to invite you to join me!

While the tragedy may no longer be front page headlines, the families of those lost and the victims who survived are just coming to terms with what happened and figuring out how to navigate life after such trauma.  Now is the time they need continued support and services, even more.

We need to circle the wagons and band together to support the victims, their families and the LGBTQ community as a whole. Thoughts and prayers are not enough, thus I have decided to start a fundraising campaign to help provide aide to the Pulse Nightclub victims and their families. I know that money cannot erase pain, but I have hope that it will provide a level of comfort to those affected, sending a clear message that they are not alone in their grief.

I have been in contact with the appropriate parties here at ZGF and am pleased to announce that ZGF will match every dollar raised by July 31, 2016, up to $5,000!!  I know how big of a gesture this is, so I made sure to educate myself on the details of the charitable organizations I have been considering.

I have done a good deal of diligent research and have found a charity organization (Equality Florida) that is committed to ensuring that every penny raised goes to the victims and their families and not into the wrong people’s pockets. They have partnered with the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) and are expediting the process for fund disbursement to ensure there is no gap in the safety net for these families. The distribution of funds to the victim’s families of mass casualty crimes, including shootings and terrorist attacks, requires the highest level of transparency, complete accountability and closely managed distribution. For an in-depth description of Equality Florida’s plan to do exactly that, please visit www.eqfl.org/transparent. Also, according to www.guidestar.org (a website dedicated to gathering and disseminating information about every single IRS-registered non-profit organization), both Equality Florida and the NCVC have their highest Gold Rating. I have the utmost confidence that whatever donation we are able to make will have positive lasting effects.

Let us band together to say; “This is not ok and we’re going to do something about it!” After all, one thing everyone can agree on is that terrorism (regardless of the targeted group), is never an acceptable answer to the problems the world faces. Thank you for your time, consideration and for reading my plea for help. Please understand that this is by no means an obligation for any of you. It is quite simply a request from me personally, to help make as big a difference as possible. 

As disbursements are made to Equality Florida, I will be sure to update everyone who has donated to our cause to let them know.

“May love weave us all into a tapestry of understanding and compassion”.  – My Mom

Love, Peace and Unity,

Josh Crowell

This is the official Pulse Victims Fund page for Southern Wine & Spirits' employees.  

Southern will be working closely with Equality Florida, the state’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.  

Southern Wine & Spirits is a staunch advocate for equality, and will continue to support the communities it serves in the best ways possible. Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for being a member of the Southern family.

The Company will match the funds collected from our employees.  All employee contributions, as well as Southern’s match, will go directly to help the victims and their families.

Thank you for your contribution, and thank you for being a member of the Southern family.