The world remains scarred since the tragic and senseless Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando earlier this year. A number of stars shared their sadness over the tragedy directly following the shooting that killed 49 people and celebrities continue to do their part to honor victims and their families who have suffered loss. Lance Bass is one star who has ensured to do his part to help support those affected by hosting the onePulse Foundation’s benefit that was organized for the purpose of honoring those affected on Friday night.
About last night…. #OnePulseOrlando pic.twitter.com/CwOknZtT84
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) August 20, 2016
Attendees to Bass’ event included Caitlyn Jenner, Matt Bomer, Will.i.am, and JC Chasez. Musical performances by Jessie J and by Stevie Wonder entertained guests at the meaningful occasion. The evening also involved emotional speeches and touching moments that acted as a memorial to those killed in the deadliest act against the LGBT community in American history as well as the highest death toll resulting from one single gunman. Matt Bomer spoke to E! and shared how people bridging the gaps to support the cause are doing their part.
Hollywood is still hurting after the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting that tragically killed 49 people.
. @Caitlyn_Jenner , @LanceBass , Stevie Wonder Support Benefit for Orlando Victims https://t.co/DkHdrqnFpy
— Variety (@Variety) August 20, 2016
“In the face of horrible tragedy there is love and there is support. And that people in all communities, Hollywood and all over the country, it doesn’t matter if you’re an actor or a celebrity or whatever—we care and we support you.”
Lance Bass also spoke about how the shooting affected the LGBT community all across the nation as well as the world.
“Although it’s not our community, we’re all the way over here in California, it hit us too. It hit us hard. Just because we can’t relate, we can relate to what [the victims] were celebrating.”
Bass shared how he felt a connection to many of the victims.
“Most of us, you know, were raised where we were hiding ourselves. For the first time, a lot of those kids were in that club being themselves and not being afraid, and when something like this happens, again, fear is instilled in that community and we want to show them that we can’t be afraid.”
Candis Cayne was also sure to share about her experience as an employee at the Orlando nightclub scene and noted that the area was always a safe haven for people of the community, admitting that news of the shooting was shocking.
“It was always a safe haven, a place you can go where you could be with family, you could have respect, you could be safe and you knew that the outside world wasn’t going to come in and get you. And so that kind of always shattered that night to a community that went there just to be around people that understand who they were.”
Following the June 12 attack in Orlando, stars from all over the globe have spoken out and shown their sincere grief at the incident that shocked the world such a short time ago. Included in initiatives taken to advocate against such horrendous acts on the LGBT community, stars joined a Human Rights Campaign video, which was also shared at the benefit on Friday evening. The video involved 49 celebrities. Among these were Lady Gaga and Kerry Washington, Demi Lovato and Laverne Cox. Each appeared on the screen to narrate certain details about each victim while including unique stories about how they met partners and their goals and ambitions in life.
