Treasure Coast LGBT community 'stronger' since Pulse shooting

Nicole WIesenthal | Special to TCPalm

There's been a stronger sense of community in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting within the Treasure Coast's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

“There has not been an event that has touched or affected the community like this before, as far as I know,” said Cory Pfister, 36, of Port St. Lucie.

In the weeks following the June 12 Orlando attack in which Fort Pierce resident Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injured 53, people were anxious and nervous, said Pfister, secretary for ONE Treasure Coast, a local LGBT nonprofit.

He said he's noticed increased security at TattleTails nightclub in Port St. Lucie — a gathering spot for the LGBT community — and increased patrols by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. The annual Treasure Coast PrideFest in Port St. Lucie also had increased security.

[ Keep scrolling to read more stories about the one-year anniversary of Pulse. ]

Eventually, people calmed down, Pfister said, and the community became more united after the attack.

“Most of the time, these types of tragedies, like with any other larger community, unite us,” Pfister said. “To come together, to be seen, and show we aren’t afraid and that it’s still important to be who we are in our public life.”

MORE:From childhood to mass shooting, what happened to Omar Mateen?

Jason Varkett, 33, of Jensen Beach, said he's felt a stronger sense of community and closeness within the LGBT community.

“Before, I noticed there was a lot of pettiness in our way, but since the Pulse attack, it’s really brought the community together,” he said.

At a Pulse shooting fundraiser in June 2016 and at PrideFest on April 30, Varkett, a drag performer better known by his stage name, Shelita Taylor, said he noticed the togetherness, with people taking extra moments to spend time with and hug people they hadn’t seen in a while.

People wore Pulse commemorative pins and clothes, and performers dedicated their shows to the shooting victims.

“Everyone was standing together,” Varkett said. “It didn’t matter who you were. You were in a place of love and acceptance and that really was the culmination of the last year and the big change in our community.”

In the weeks following the shooting, ONE Treasure Coast focused more on creating a community center and safe space for LGBT people, Pfister said. The organization is still moving forward with its efforts, focusing on raising money for the center to become a reality.

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The local community also has shown more support for the LGBT community since the shooting, Pfister said. He noticed more businesses trying to be involved with the LGBT community, including a CrossFit gym that reached out and a painting studio interested in a Pride painting event.

Varkett has noticed more public support. He's seen equality stickers on cars and noticed many straight people attending PrideFest.

He said plans for a local remembrance for Pulse victims are uncertain.

“It’s definitely not something that should just be left to pass by without recognition,” Varkett said. “I’d like to see this always be a moment to come together. I would like to see this happen year after year after year and not let the memories fade away. It’s still an emotional journey, but we’re dealing with it.”

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