The event, hosted by Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, was held on the eighth anniversary of the attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando that took the lives of 49 people — most of them young, LGBTQ+ and Latine. HRC joined GIFFORDS Executive Director Emma Brown as well as queer icons Billy Porter, a Grammy, Emmy and two-time Tony Award winner, Nymphia Wind, winner of season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and others to honor the lives that were taken at Pulse and to vow to never let our joy be taken away.

A celebration of light, love and Pride

Pride is a time of joy. Parades, performances and positivity fill the streets and our hearts — but, most of all, we feel pride in our community for their resilience, their perseverance and their love in the face of hate. Pride for how far we’ve come. Pride in those who’ve come before us, like Marsha P. Johnson and Harvey Milk. Pride in our joy, our light and our fabulousness.

Harris reminds us what we fight for. For our joy, our love and our right to exist. We are loud, we are proud and we join her in saying: We are not going back.

A reminder of what’s at stake.

“Every year that we celebrate Pride, we must also remember all of what is at stake and recommit to fighting for the promise of America, which is a promise of freedom and equality and justice.” - Vice President Kamala Harris

Pride is more than just a celebration; it’s a memorial, an act of revolution, a promise. We were proud to join Harris, GIFFORDS and other LGBTQ+ leaders who attended the event in demanding a stop to violence against the LGBTQ+ community.

HRC President Kelley Robinson reminded us of our power and urged us to claim it.

“Today, as we mark eight years since the tragic attack at Pulse, we know the attacks on the LGBTQ+ community are real and relentless; but listen up: We are strong, we are resilient. The LGBTQ+ community is powerful. So, this Pride, let us celebrate our community, let us rally our allies like Vice President Harris and recommit to the fight. For freedom, liberation, and joy without exception.”

In this year alone, as of the time of publication, at least 25 transgender and gender-expansive people’s lives have been tragically stolen by hate and violence.

We remember every name and celebrate the lives they lived and deserved to continue to live, but we know remembering is not enough. We join Vice President Harris in taking action to end gun violence and protect LGBTQ+ lives.

What’s next?

“For decades, Vice President Harris has been a champion for LGBTQ+ people, fearlessly defending our right to love and live without fear and her work to combat gun violence is saving lives,” - HRC National Press Secretary and Pulse survivor, Brandon Wolf.

The event took place five weeks before President Joe Biden announced his decision to exit the 2024 presidential race and put his support for Vice President Harris for President. Even so, Harris’ standout track record of support for the LGBTQ+ community and fighting against gun violence were both common themes at the Pride reception.

"President Biden and Vice President Harris lead the strongest gun safety administration and pro-LGBTQ administration in history. They are fighting from morning until night to keep Americans safe and restore critical freedoms,” said GIFFORDS Executive Director Emma Brown.

HRC National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the attack at Pulse, also expressed his support, remembering the friends whose lives were taken that day:

“Put simply: Vice President Harris shows up for us. And when I think of a world that my best friends would be proud of, it’s the one she’s been working to build for her entire career.”

“When we fight, we win”

When Harris stood at the podium, she issued her own powerful statement and call to action: “When we fight, we win.”

The reception at the Harris residence was more than just an event; it was a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work still needed to ensure a safe and joyful future for all LGBTQ+ people.