Central Florida events mark 5 years since Pulse massacre

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and marks a solemn occasion in the Orlando community: five years since the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead.

From blood drives to vigils and an exhibit, there are many events in Central Florida that honor Pulse victims, survivors and first responders as well as bring the community together. Here are a few.

• Acts of Love and Kindness take place through June 12. One Orlando Alliance encourages everyone to act, love and give in honor of the 49 lives lost during the Pulse shooting. Participants are asked to share their acts of kindness on social media, tagging @OneOrlandoAlliance and using the #ActLoveGive hashtag. More info: oneorlandoalliance.org/acts-of-love-and-kindness

• Pulse blood drives invite people to donate blood in memory of Pulse victims through June 12 at various locations. Those who donate will receive a $10 digital gift card and a commemorative shirt. More info: oneblood.org

• 4.9K CommUNITY Rainbow Run & CommUNITY Festival event celebrates inclusion while honoring the Pulse shooting victims. The fifth annual event takes place 7-10:30 a.m. June 5 at Wadeview Park, 2177 S. Summerlin Ave. in Orlando. It benefits the National Pulse Memorial and Museum as well as onePULSE Foundation. More info: communityrainbowrun.com

• Community: Five Years After the Pulse Tragedy is an exhibition dedicated to the Pulse nightclub shooting that can be viewed for free June 5-13 at the Orange County Regional History Center (65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando). More info: thehistorycenter.org/event/free-admission-to-community

• Straight Men Real Makeup is an annual onePULSE Foundation event in which eight straight men perform a choreographed routine while dressed in full drag, with three drag queens judging. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) June 6 at 123 W. Church St. in Orlando. Tickets are $10-$49. More info: facebook.com/Straight-Men-Real-Makeup-418098955054413

• An Evening of Reflection and Promise acknowledges the religious trauma carried by the LGBTQ+ community and creates a space to move toward greater inclusion. The free event presented by the One Orlando Alliance takes place 7-8:30 p.m. June 7 both virtually and at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando) as part of the Frontyard Festival. More info: facebook.com/events/170682378311950

• Paint with Pride invites participants to paint rocks that will be displayed at the UCF Pulse Memorial by the Student Union. The event takes place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 7 at UCF’s Ferrell Commons 171. More info: events.ucf.edu/event/2102639/paint-with-pride

• 5 Years Later: Reflection on Pulse features a discussion with UCF’s LGBTQ+ Services and CAPS about how the community has grieved and grown since Pulse. It takes place 2-3 p.m. June 8 at UCF’s Social Justice and Advocacy Lounge. More info: events.ucf.edu/event/2102644/5-years-later-reflection-on-pulse

• My Portraits of Pulse: An Orlando United Story offers a free evening of song and reflection. The event is presented at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) June 8 by Orlando Gay Chorus as part of the Frontyard Festival at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando). More info: drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2021/portraits-of-pulse

• Central Florida Foundation Virtual Community Conversation: Pulse Remembrance takes place 1-2 p.m. June 9. More info: cffound.org

• Overcoming Barriers Between the Faith Community and LGBTQ Community takes place at 7 p.m. June 9 virtually and at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (4851 S. Apopka Vineland Road in Orlando). Registration is required. More info: st.lukes.org/overcomingbarriers

• ‘Inhala Exhala’ — New Moon Yoga for Pulse Remembrance gathers Central Floridians to practice restorative yoga while taking a pause to acknowledge emotions related to Pulse and “sow seeds of hope.” It takes place 6-8 p.m. June 10 at The Center (946 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando) and on Instagram live @qlatinx. More info: thecenterorlando.org

• UCF Remembers Pulse Vigil honors the 49 Pulse victims and celebrates diversity. It features speeches from UCF students, staff and local community members as well as a reading of the names of the 49 lives lost. It takes place 7-8:30 p.m. June 10 at UCF’s Student Union. More info: events.ucf.edu/event/2102634/ucf-remembers-pulse-vigil

• United We Dance will take over Church Street, between Hamburger Mary’s and Häos, from 6-10 p.m. June 10 for a public evening of reflection through music and dance. DJ Scott Robert will provide the music as participants and attendees use the power of the arts to show hate will not win. Tickets are $10 general admission, $50 VIP, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the OnePulse Foundation. More info: orlandoweeklytickets.com/events/111843339/united-we-dance

• Pulse Memorial Candlelight Vigil, hosted by the Zebra Coalition, honors the 49 lives lost on June 12, 2016. It offers the chance for those ages 13-24 to reflect and engage in walking meditation at a labyrinth (820 N. Fern Creek Ave. in Orlando) featuring an outer circle of pavers engraved with the names of the Pulse victims with a rainbow “Orlando United” heart. Meet between 6-7 p.m. June 11 at the Zebra House (911 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando). More info: facebook.com/events/258986352645070

• 49 Bells invites people worldwide to solemnly ring a bell or similar instrument 49 times beginning at noon June 12 to honor the Pulse victims and in commitment to advancing the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. More info: oneorlandoalliance.org/49-bells

• Illusions After Hours benefits the National Pulse Memorial & Museum, with a portion of ticket sales (as well as attraction sales throughout June) going to the organization. The Pride-themed event includes admission to the Museum of Illusions, a spin on The Wheel at Icon Park, music and an outdoor cash bar. It runs 10 p.m. June 12 until 1 a.m. June 13 at Icon Park. Tickets are $32.95. Event attendees must be at least 18 years old. More info: moiorlando.com

• Orlando United Day — A Day of Love and Kindness on June 12 is dedicated to honoring the Pulse victims, supporting survivors and recognizing Central Floridians’ compassion.

• Pulse Five-Year-Remembrance Ceremony brings together the families of those who died in the Pulse shooting, provides space to remember loved ones in peace and honors the survivors, first responders and trauma teams. The onePULSE Foundation presents an annual Pulse remembrance ceremony on June 12 at Pulse nightclub. This year, it will also be livestreamed for free at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) June 12 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando) as part of the Frontyard Festival. More info: drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2021/pulse-remembrance

• Pulse Remembrance by DeLand Pride invites participants to bring flags and signs as they march at 2 p.m. June 12 from Abbey Bar (117 N. Woodland Blvd. in Orlando) to the corner of New York Avenue and Woodland Boulevard. More info: facebook.com/events/778671069452182

• Yoga of Pride & Remembrance honors the memory of the 49 Pulse victims with yoga, snacks, conversation and a screening of “Believer” — a film that explores the impact of mental health on the LGBTQUIA+ youth community in Utah. The free event takes place 2-4:30 p.m. June 13 virtually and at Congregation of Reform Judaism, 928 Malone Drive in Orlando. More info: oneorlandoalliance.org/calendar

• ‘Mission Rainbow’ is an Orlando Pride match against NJ/NY Gotham FC at 6 p.m. June 20 at Exploria Stadium (655 W. Church St. in Orlando) that will remember the lives lost in the Pulse shooting. More info: orlandocitysc.com

• ‘Pride in Our City’ is an Orlando City SC match against the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. June 22 at Exploria Stadium (655 W. Church St. in Orlando) that will remember the lives lost in the Pulse shooting. More info: orlandocitysc.com

Want to reach out? Email me at kchristiansen@orlandosentinel.com.