ALLENTOWN, PA — In response to the recent massacre at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center has raised a total of $5,496 for the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida, based in Orlando, Florida in less than one week.

On Monday, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center announced it had raised $2,800 (which includes a $500 contribution from the organization). Last night at a benefit at Stonewall Lehigh Valley, an additional $2,696 was raised, making for a total of $5,496 raised in less than one week.

408 people attended the benefit at Stonewall Lehigh Valley, one of Allentown’s two gay bars. The benefit, “Pray for Orlando: One Pulse, One Life“, was organized by drag performer, Elektra Fierce St. James, who stated, “It is important for us as a community to stick together no matter the distance between us. United We Stand, United We Fall when one bleeds we all bleed.”

“I’m so proud of our LGBT community for staying strong, for raising these critical funds for our LGBT brothers and sisters in Orlando, and for showing up last night, and all week, to make sure that our community is visible” said Adrian Shanker, Executive Director of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida is providing crisis counseling, an emergency hotline and other services for victims, families and community members experiencing trauma in the aftermath of the massacre.

Community members interested in supporting the victims and families in Orlando are invited to visit www.thecenterorlando.org to learn more and to contribute.

Information Provided By:

Adrian Shanker, Executive Director