(Screen grab from The Center’s Facebook)
ORLANDO | Fred and Maria Wright — the parents to Jerry Wright, one of the 49 victims whose lives were taken in the 2016 Pulse tragedy — have pledged to donate $25,000 in matching funds to the LGBT+ Center Orlando in an effort to raise $50,000 during LGBTQ Pride Month.
The Wrights, in a video message posted to The Center’s Facebook page June 9, said they felt compelled to donate the funds after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $150,000 from the state budget that was allocated to The Center to be used for the Orlando United Assistance Center (OUAC), which serves and supports the immediate family members of the 49 individuals taken in the Pulse tragedy and the survivors.
“We all carry scars from that night; some in empty chairs in our homes, some with lives confined to wheelchairs and some with scars to the soul that can just as painful. We cannot forget them,” Maria Wright said in the video message.
“Which is why while the governor sends the message that we do not matter, that our loss and sacrifice is unimportant, we know otherwise and we are doing what we think is right,” Fred Wright continued.
DeSantis’ vetoing, which also included removing $750,000 intended for temporary housing for LGBTQ homeless youth, came on the second day of LGBTQ Pride Month and just a week before the five-year mark of the Pulse tragedy.
The Wrights’ pledge comes days after Orlando-based business Quantum Improvements Consulting donated $25,000 to The Center Orlando as well as another $25,000 to the Zebra Coalition.
If you would like to join the Wrights in donating to OUAC, visit TheCenterOrlando.org/OUACMatch.
