On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, killed 49 people and wounded 58 others at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

1 year later, Orlando remains covered in positive messages, encouraging love and unity as its community continues to heal. ‘#OrlandoStrong’, ‘You Matter’, ‘#OrlandoUnited,’ ‘Love Wins’ and other uplifting, rainbow-colored messages can be found across the city, from stickers in windows to murals covering entire buildings.

“When people try to push you down, there’s always a rise up (afterwards),” said Trina Gregory-Propst, who runs the restaurant Se7en Bites with her wife. “And this rise up has been about the good and not just dwelling on…the bad that happened.”

Since the Pulse attack, the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter and the deadliest incident of violence against LGBTQ persons in U.S. history, members of Orlando’s LGBTQ community have felt embraced like never before.

In addition to holding blood drives and candlelight vigils, numerous people gave donations OneOrlando, a fund set up by the city to help the families of the victims. By March 31, when the fund was officially closed, it had raised more than $30 million.

The LGBT Community Center of Central Florida also received an abundance of donations and grants after the attack, allowing it to increase its free HIV testing and mental health counseling.

“The Orlando community has changed… we have more of a togetherness. When anyone goes through such tragedy we know that people tend to come together. I think we have that unity more than ever,” said Gabe Martinez, the center’s director of clinical services.

Gay rights have been a controversial issue among Republicans in the state; nonetheless, several dozen Central Florida Republicans signed a resolution last year, calling for bans on discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

A month after the Pulse shooting, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, a strong supporter of Orlando’s LGBTQ community, announced the resolution at an annual Republican Party fundraising dinner. To her surprise, she received a standing ovation.

“I took it head on and was shocked by the support…that was just unbelievable,” said Jacobs. Florida Republican lawmakers, according to Jacobs, have taken a dramatic shift in attitude towards gay rights, embracing a “culture of compassion.”

Orlando Police have taken steps to support the LGBTQ community as well. In December, they created a Safe Place initiative, encouraging businesses and organizations to display signs showing their commitment to shelter LGBTQ persons who are victims of hate crimes or are in danger. Since then, more than 200 businesses have signed up, allowing victims to take refuge in their buildings while the police are called about the incident at hand.

According to Lt. James Young, the Orlando Police Department’s liaison to the gay community, he has never seen so many rainbow flags in the city outside of Pride weekends.

“It’s overwhelming in so many ways,” said Young. “I think this has allowed people to see we’re just human. It’s not the gay community, it’s not a minority community – this is your family. These are your relatives, they’re your neighbors, these are your friends, these are your people who work in your businesses.”

Nonetheless, pain remains in the Orlando community. Many LGBTQ persons in the city cannot bring themselves to drive by Pulse, now surrounded by fences and makeshift memorials. Others are afraid to return to gay bars and nightclubs.

Some members of Orlando’s LGTBQ community still run or go to gay establishments. However, they use extreme caution, constantly scanning for potential threats.

Dan Fraser, a manager at a gay bar called Stonewall, makes sure to keep a close eye on patrons entering the bar. Similarly, Pulse owner Barbara Poma is always on high alert when she goes out at night with her friends. If possible, they sit near an exit.

Homophobia remains in the community as well. According to City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the first openly gay elected official in central Florida, discrimination simply exists on a more subtle level. As the city planned to commemorate the shooting’s first anniversary, some local officials overlooked the LGBT community.

“Why not love?” Sheehan said, begging Orlando to maintain its strong sense of support for the LGBTQ community after the attack. “Why not be like all those people who I saw holding candles and giving blood and donating money and caring?”

Despite the progress Orlando, and America as a whole, have to make regarding the gay community, many LGBTQ persons have felt greater pride in light of the city’s support and compassion.

“Many hearts and many minds were changed after what they saw at Pulse,” said Poma, who plans to turn the nightclub into a permanent memorial.

“I felt so helpless as it (the attack) was going on. But…Orlando has really stepped up to the plate. The camaraderie that we have in this city is unbelievable,” stated Stonewall manager Fraser.

According to Se7en Bites owner Gregory-Propst, “It (the attack) brought out the best of people. It’s ok to say ‘I love you’ to your friends and to let them know that you truly care about them.” About Brielle Entzminger I am a lover of dance, books, and coffee with way too much sugar. I have been dancing since I was three and am trained in multiple styles, including tap! I also love reading, listening to music, watching Netflix, and hanging out with friends. I am a huge fan of Lana Del Rey and Halsey, and I am in love with Criminal Minds. Finally, I have a great love for traveling. I have been to Europe two times, and I plan to study abroad in France next year, where I will test out (and hopefully improve) my French skills. I hope to travel to many more countries in the future, making fun, unforgettable memories along the way.