Free Gift: Candle of Unity



We'll never get used to making tribute items like this. We will always spread love, and not hate.

Note: This is not the area to discuss gun laws. We ask you to use the comments here to remember the victims of this most recent tragedy, and all tragedies of this kind, and to share hope.
June 12, 2016, 11:46 pm by SteampunkShadowLord
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- At least on a temporary basis, Florida has lifted that ban. Members of the LGBT community will be allowed to donate blood due to the nature of the crisis.

On a related note, I think that the ban is absolutely insane. With the current medical technology, blood can be screened and tested for communicable diseases, and unless a person is confirmed to be HIV-positive or to have a communicable blood disease like Hepatitis-C, no one should be barred from donating blood or plasma.

June 12, 2016, 11:41 pm by JaceGem
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As an LGBTQ+ member, I share the pain felt by others today. No one has the right to take someone's life away. This however is a wonderful way to remember and honor those who left us today. May they rest in peace.

June 12, 2016, 11:35 pm by Lugosi
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I sincerely wish that this was a wearable of some kind.

June 12, 2016, 11:29 pm by peachtiny
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I love this item, I wish it was wearable so that we could show some solidarity. Such an awful tragedy. It's also very sad to me that gay people in Florida (and the US) aren't allowed to donate blood to the people within their own community... they have to rely on others. But from everything I've read there has been a huge turnout of volunteers after news of this was released. Always look for the helpers. It will give you hope.

June 12, 2016, 11:29 pm by Atreyu
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As a Floridian, my condolences go out to the family and friends, close ones to those who were lost in this horrifying event. I have never been more ashamed of my state and I can only ask for forgiveness from those who are now looking down from their heavens. I also hope for a quick recovery with no complications for those who were injured. My thoughts are with those who are ailed through these times.

June 12, 2016, 11:26 pm by Sequoia
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So many lives taken for no reason. May they all rest in peace. :(

June 12, 2016, 11:17 pm by MoondustDreams
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One thing I love about this site is that we can all reach out to each other in times such as this. Thank you for making this art tribute to lives lost and families/friends aching over this. I appreciate the kind thoughts and I pray for families/friends for those who were tragically taken away too soon. RIP.

June 12, 2016, 11:13 pm by bluemoonlightgirl
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Wow, people are disgusting to start blaming the guns automatically. =.= Shame on you all. I will always blame the PERSON, not the inanimate object they choose to use. When a lunatic has it in their head to kill, they will use ANYTHING they can get their hands on. And let's not forget, before guns were invented people killed one another with swords, arrows, fire, poison, etc.

June 12, 2016, 11:13 pm by Kevin
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glad you're safe c:

June 12, 2016, 11:08 pm by SteampunkShadowLord
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I'm watching the ongoing coverage on WFTV Channel 9 Eyewitness News, and it's absolutely surreal seeing that stretch of Orange Avenue cordoned off. A friend of mine works at the SoDo Target. used to work in the gift shops at Orlando Regional Medical Center and Winnie Palmer Hospital, just a few blocks north of there, and we know that neighborhood quite well. I've eaten at the Wendy's across the street from Pulse, and the Dunkin' Donuts right there, more times than I care to count. Two of my friends who I haven't been in contact with in some time would go to Pulse occasionally even though they were straight because they played good music and the drinks were cheap. For all I know, Matt and/or Stephanie might have been there last night/this morning.

I've been haunting the Disney cast groups on Facebook to verify that my friends and coworkers are all okay. It's just so strange and bizarre and just... wrong. This is Orlando. It's not supposed to be like this.

June 12, 2016, 10:56 pm by terrerio35
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Oh, Jesus... may the Lord bless the families and accept their loved ones who fell victim to such a tragedy. I JUST read the news on CNN...wow. It certainly doesn't compare to the 9/11 massacre, but since then, yeah, last night was the worst tragedy in the past 15 years; OK that's just frickin' creepy, the time between them and now is so rounded... it better be only a coinkidink. I wish any one on this site who knew anyone afflicted by this tragedy or any loved ones that were victims in last night's events the best of luck and condolences, and may something like this never happen to you again... Everyone should fell thankful that more people weren't harmed in the shooting, wether you live in America or not. I will pray for everyone, and hope all of you pray, too; even if you aren't of a godly faith (or any faith at all, for that matter), you can still pray for everyone affected!?

June 12, 2016, 10:50 pm by Valenrhyme
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My heart goes out to everyone effected. I pray for everyone's safety and wellbeing.

June 12, 2016, 10:45 pm by Amanda
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This is...just really scary. I'm here in orlando just a couple minutes from the club. I think I can see it from my hotel room. We almost went out dancing last night. I could have been there. This is a good tribute. Thank you <3

June 12, 2016, 10:41 pm by Brian
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This has been a rough day. Tragedies like this are always hard to take, but I'm surprised at just how hard this one hit me. I feel like my family was targeted. It's incredibly sad. Don't forget to let the people around you know you love them.

June 12, 2016, 10:35 pm by Slowerthanzero
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So I've read some of the comments to get an idea of what is going on and it really saddens me to think (although sadly does not surprise me) someone could be this thoughtless and cruel. Just because someone may not like something doesn't give them the right to do something like this. It's too bad people like him cannot just be an adult and learn to just tolerate things they don't like in a quiet more productive manner. There are plenty of things I don't like, but I never even so much as intentionally make others feel bad for liking something I don't, and if I accidentally do so, I am always quick to apologize for it as soon as I am made aware.

This sort of act is completely beyond my comprehension to understand in any way. Although they are strangers to me, I will be keeping those killed and injured and affected by this in my heart and hope for a quick recovery for those still alive, and peace for the souls of those who are now departed. I hope karma has its retribution on the individual responsible for this unforgivable act.

I also have to say, this item is wonderful and is a good example of the wonderful kinds of people we have running this site. It makes me glad I came back to this site after my long hiatus. With people like the staff and the community here, I doubt I will be leaving again any time soon.

June 12, 2016, 10:27 pm by RMutt
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holy crap, this is not the time or place to start this kind of discussion, and also, you're wrong.

June 12, 2016, 10:17 pm by theladywrath
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This is an absolutely beautiful item, but I wish it didn't have to exist. Y'all on the subeta staff are amazing and I love this item. There is so much to say but there really are no words. I wish solace to the families and hope for a speedy recovery for the injured.

June 12, 2016, 10:11 pm by Targaryen
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May all their soles rest in peace. What a senseless act of violence! Thank you Subeta for the the beautiful tribute!

June 12, 2016, 10:10 pm by Sheirah7
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Sending all my love from Germany. My thoughts are with the survivors and the families and friends of the 50 people whose lifes were taken in an unspeakable act of hatred and violence. Sadly, most of the people here are more interested in soccer right now... But love will always be stronger. Hate will never win.

June 12, 2016, 10:06 pm by Yuzu
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As a member of the LBGT+ Community, this tragedy struck me harder than I'd like to admit. Thank you for the beautiful tribute item. My heart goes out to the victims' families and loved ones during this trying time.

June 12, 2016, 10:04 pm by erinh
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how horrible.....why does this happen..thinking about the families :(

June 12, 2016, 10:03 pm by Hoshi
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: A man, who was reported by his father to have recently expressed a lot of rage upon seeing gay men who dared to kiss one another in front of him, drove hours out of his way to commit a massacre in a gay nightclub. This act has been "claimed" by a group revolving around a brand of religious extremism that is notoriously violent towards LGBT people.

Yet your response to this is claiming that the fact that it was a gay nightclub had "nothing to do with it", and won't someone PLEASE think of the poor STRAIGHT PEOPLE?

Think about that. Sit and really think about that for a minute.

June 12, 2016, 9:59 pm by FireFlea
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Many condolences to my American neighbours. Canada mourns this tragedy with you and we send our love. Stay strong everyone <3

June 12, 2016, 9:53 pm by igge5
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It is truly disgusting what has happened. It makes me sad how someone is capable of doing something like this and even worse. Much love for the families and the victims.

June 12, 2016, 9:37 pm by Bakura
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I mourn for the lost of the souls. I drive by Pulse ever day on my way home from work. It was always lively and the people who went there were lovely. I am so proud of my city for how we have been taking care of this, the over whelming number of people who have been at blood banks are so high they are turning people away.

June 12, 2016, 9:36 pm by Magica
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Thank you for this.

June 12, 2016, 9:35 pm by Skylar
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Wow, I just realized that if my fiance was working yesterday night like he normally does, we would have drove by Pulse an hour or two before the shooting.

...That brought chills down my spine.

June 12, 2016, 9:35 pm by Radi0rulz
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Thank you Subeta. It's been such a sad day seeing and hearing what happened in FL. Thoughts and prayers to the victims, families and friends. <3

June 12, 2016, 9:27 pm by mollykmooney
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So sad. :(:(:(

June 12, 2016, 9:26 pm by Jestro
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i'm so thankful for the posts and tributes Subeta makes and how thoughtful they are I've been crying on and off all day and as a closeted youth it makes me happy to see support and acknowledgement for my fellow community members. May they rest in peace and may those who are injured get better

June 12, 2016, 9:16 pm by Eclipse
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Sending love and thoughts to the victims, family and friends. Absolutely heartbreaking news,

Rest In Peace.

June 12, 2016, 9:13 pm by Tenka
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Rest in peace.

June 12, 2016, 9:06 pm by Delirium
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I've been crying on and off all day. My heart aches for those deceased and injured, as well as their families, friends, and partners. I can't believe I'm living during the biggest mass shooting in US American history. I feel entirely sickened and disheartened, and I wasn't even directly affected. My community hurts, and so I hurt. Thank you Subeta, for this lovely tribute, and for your constant support of the entire lgbt+ community.

June 12, 2016, 9:06 pm by BlackCat
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When I logged in and saw this I smiled to myself, it's just really thoughtful I'm so glad I"m a part of a site that makes wonderful thoughtful things like this.

June 12, 2016, 9:05 pm by SteampunkShadowLord
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Hey all. Rivenshade and I both live in Orlando. We're safe, we weren't even in the area at the time. And to my knowledge at this point, we haven't lost any friends. This was a terrible tragedy, and we're looking at going to donate blood tomorrow or Tuesday.

In light of today's terrible events, I'd like us to keep this in mind: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" - Fred Rogers

June 12, 2016, 9:02 pm by Taters
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To the actual point though, this is a great and sad tribute. Its especially scary to me as myself and my parents worked not even a few weeks ago at Red Dress PDX and for something to hit so soon after, aimed at the audience of people I adored and was with that night its so sad. Even so many states away I just think 'what if it had been out event?'

Much love to the families of those lost, and I hope things start to get better over the coming days.

June 12, 2016, 9:00 pm by Taters
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Yes but it was aimed at lgbt people. I think the rainbow stands for all humans and not just those in said 'list' as it gives everyone a part, thats why its a rainbow for the flag. It shows all the colours and doesnt discriminate.

With both the club and threats being made for a pride parade I think its fine to leave it at that. But its just my opinion xD

June 12, 2016, 8:53 pm by CARACAL
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thank you

i live so damn close to orlando and it's too much, too terrifying, too upsetting, too fucking infuriating in 2016 the lgbt community can't even be safe in a place meant for them

June 12, 2016, 8:50 pm by Wik
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Rest in peace ): They deserved better

June 12, 2016, 8:40 pm by Shelbi
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Such a lovely tribute. Rip innocent souls.

June 12, 2016, 8:40 pm by Life
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Love will always be stronger than hate. Some days it's harder to remember that than others. Thank you for the beautiful item ❤

June 12, 2016, 8:39 pm by chrelaade
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My heart goes out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives, those who are still recovering.

June 12, 2016, 8:38 pm by Lea
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Thank you so much.

June 12, 2016, 8:37 pm by Rotmouth
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thank you so much to everyone who helped to implement this tribute.

i feel numb, and unsafe. it's no secret that this community isn't welcomed with open arms in the US, but having a safe space invaded this way is more violating and horrifying than i can even comprehend right now.

thoughts to everyone hit directly by this, much love goes their way. stay strong, folks.

June 12, 2016, 8:35 pm by Screech93
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It never gets easier, but even as some love might be lost some people need to show love to others as a reminder we are still together.

June 12, 2016, 8:33 pm by Darkfae_635
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As usual, , you guys have the best response to the hardest moments in life. Thank you. <3

June 12, 2016, 8:32 pm by Synbar
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Amen. So sorry for all those injured or who lost loved ones. When will everyone understand that it is not "us/them"? Such a tragedy wounds the entire world.

June 12, 2016, 8:32 pm by EagleWing
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Best wishes. May the dead find peace. May the survived recover fast.

June 12, 2016, 8:30 pm by dele_ted
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I really do like the tribute, and may the people who died, rest well, along with their families.

I don't want to cause things, but I don't see the point in this being rainbow, I felt it was unnecessary to make it an LGBT tribute. The fact it was a gay night club had nothing to do with it, especially since it was for everyone the night of the shooting.

If you want to be fair, add a mustache, considering it was Latin night or something.

Just me though. shrugs

LGBT people were not the only ones killed.

June 12, 2016, 8:19 pm by Dracona
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I am sad for America. I hope those who lost their lives are still partying, wherever they may be. Also sending love to their families and those who were injured. ?

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