To honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, Pridelines held an unveiling ceremony in Liberty City in Miami at 5525 NW 7th Ave. on June 28.
The original date was postponed due to the weather conditions. Miami’s summer showers were unrelenting on the eight-year anniversary of the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
The Board President of Pridelines, Veronica Barrios-Garcia, was tasked with finding the perfect candidate to show Pridelines‘ unwavering solidarity for the 49 lives that were lost that night.
TeePop explains, “I was commissioned by Pridelines to create a memorial mural for the 49 Pulse victims of Orlando. It’s supposed to represent resilience, love, hope, and cohesiveness for the community.”
TeePop is a graphic designer by day and night owl painter/artist/muralist who creates expansive murals that capture people’s attention and hearts instantly. Her portraits are iconic and exude the essence of musicians, artists, writers and advocates.
She skillfully utilizes acrylics, spray paint, stenciling to tell a visual biography of each person.
She was given the difficult task to transform that night event, which is otherwise full of heartbreak and anguish, into a visual representation of symbol of fortitude and reverence.
Her vibrant color choices, added with enthusiastic brush strokes, truly captures the essence of the 49 lives that were perished.
TeePop continues, “I wanted the hands as a [focal point]. It’s a universal symbol of love, I believe it’s important to represent in the area where everyone will know that they are welcome. I believe my mural is exactly what it stands for. To promote love and kindness to all no matter who you love and who you are.”
During the unveiling ceremony, Pridelines held a moment of silence after reading every victim’s name aloud. Then, everyone walked outside to take a moment and take in the mural.
Tee explains, “The bright bold colors of a rainbow signify hope, unity and resilience of thy neighbor. The hands in a formation of a heart to show that we all care for each other and honor the 49 angels we lost on that tragic night in Pulse Orlando.”
TeePop and Jessica, alongside a Pridelines volunteer, Olga from Ukraine, painstakingly crafted this mural in the sweltering heat for 10 hours a day during the first weekend of June. Every single stroke of her brush and rollers was purposeful.
Pridelines, founded in 1982, is a nonprofit LGBTQ organization that provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for LGBTQ youth and their families. Our mission is to support, educate, and empower South Florida's LGBTQ community through programs and services that promote personal growth, leadership development, and inclusivity.
