Pulse: WMFE, StoryCorps collect community’s stories

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

StoryCorps, a national project, and partners from the Family Equality Council will visit March 9-11. They’ll 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 sites at Orange County library branches and at WMFE’s studio. Appointments can be made at www.wmfe.org/story.

There’ll 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 www.wmfe.org/story.

“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.”

Other project partners include: 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.