Radio station, StoryCorps to collect stories of Pulse survivors

ORLANDO — Stories of the Pulse nightclub shooting will be collected next month in Orlando by radio station 90.7 WMFE and StoryCorps.

There are three components to the event:

StoryCorps, a national project, and partners from the Family Equality Council will visit March 9-11. They will record stories of Pulse survivors, friends and family of lost loved ones, community organizations vital in the aftermath, and LGBTQ+ and Latino allies. Anyone directly involved with the tragedy who would like to be considered for an interview should email jbabcock@wmfe.org.

To reach more Central Floridians, 90.7 WMFE will collect stories via the StoryCorps mobile app from March 6-11. There will be recording locations at library branches across Orange County and at WMFE’s studio. Appointments can be made at wmfe.org/ story.

There will be a town hall at 7 p.m. March 9 at Orlando Health’s Orlando Regional Medical Center. WMFE’s Matthew Peddie will speak with survivors, first responders, city officials and LGBT/Latinx community leaders. Panelists include Orlando Police Chief John Mina, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Christopher Cuevas, executive director of QLatinx. It’s free, but an RSVP is required. Visit wmfe.org/story.

The collection is part of WMFE’s Dare to Listen initiative.

“This project will help to ensure that future generations can discover people’s authentic testimony about their unique experiences during and after the Pulse tragedy,” said LaFontaine Oliver, 90.7 WMFE president and general manager. “Partnering with StoryCorps and our local community organizations to provide this opportunity and service to the Orlando community truly embodies the spirit of active listening that undergirds 90.7 WMFE’s Dare to Listen initiative.”

Since 2003, StoryCorps has developed collections to honor victims of significant events such as the 2001 terrorist attacks.

“We’re proud to partner with WMFE and the Family Equality Council to create a collection that honors the people affected by this event,” said Dave Isay, founder and president of StoryCorps. “Telling personal stories and sharing remembrances is such a powerful way to leave a record of the lives of people who have passed. Moreover, listening to these stories can also help the healing process for the Orlando community.”

Family Equality Council CEO Stan J. Sloan said: “We know that the tragedy at Pulse hurt LGBTQ individuals and families across the country, and we believe that sharing these stories – however painful – is a crucial part of the healing process.”

Other project partners are: the Orange County Library System; Orange County Regional History Center; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Central Florida; the Zebra Coalition; Proyecto Somos Orlando (Hispanic Federation); Two Spirit Health Services; Equality Florida; QLatinx; and Orlando Health.