UVA Remembers Pulse



UVA Remembers Pulse was an event held by University of Virginia students in June 2017 to pay tribute to the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.

Despite not being a student himself, Chris attended, bringing with him Sonichu paraphernalia: the Medallion, a SLGBTQ Sonichu drawing, the cover page for Sonichu 12, a framed photoshop drawing of Chris and his parents mingling with Sonichu characters, and a short written piece which he read during the open mic.

News interview
He was interviewed by the local NBC station, which quoted him in an article and on video. Incidentally, this is the same station that interviewed him about the Sonic the Hedgehog Watch & Win Sweepstakes.

"Feel the love that comes from us and try to feel love that you can offer at least from within yourselves for yourselves."

Transcript
Newsreader: The University of Virginia community is also honoring the victims of that mass shooting one year ago. New tonight the student body at UVA hosted a memorial service to honor the 49 victims who lost their lives at the Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. This all unfolded on the steps of the Rotunda, along University Avenue. The two-hour-long event included an opportunity for people to create art, and share their tributes.

Chris: Do not hate, hate is not so good and to be paranoid is a bust. Feel the love that comes from us and try to feel love that you can offer at least from within yourselves for yourselves.

Newsreader: People also read out the names of those killed out loud during the ceremony. The event helped to promote equality and diversity.

The event
The organizers wrote the following description for the event, stating its purpose was for the community to reflect on the tragedy by creating tributes for the victims in the form of art.

Chris, on the other hand, decided to write a piece on his transgender identity.