Impulse Group Urges Vigilance and Unity During Pride Season
May 17 2024 - 12:20PM
Business Wire
In light of recent warnings from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
regarding foreign terrorist organizations, including groups like
ISIS, potentially targeting Pride month events, Impulse Group
stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and calls for
increased vigilance and protection during this celebratory
season.
"At Impulse Group, our mission is to engage, support and connect
gay men worldwide. In the face of potential threats to our
community, we reaffirm our commitment to creating safe and
inclusive spaces where everyone can express themselves freely and
without fear. We stand with our community members and allies in
solidarity, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that
Pride remains a time of celebration, empowerment, and resilience,”
said Leo Rivas, Program Director of Impulse Group.
Impulse Group emphasizes the importance of remaining alert and
taking necessary precautions at Pride events, including staying
informed about security measures, reporting any suspicious
activity, and supporting one another as a community.
"After the Pulse Massacre in 2016, the city of Orlando
collectively learned firsthand the importance of continuing to
dance and celebrate being a member or ally of the LGBTQIA+
community. We cannot allow threats from foreign adversaries to
influence our culture and freedoms to celebrate. We never can let
hate win. Our conversation should now be on ways to enhance
security and further protections of our sacred spaces, not cancel
them,” said Noel Ruiz, President of Impulse Group
Orlando.
"We are a vibrant and colorful community. Pride itself is one of
our greatest strengths. Pride is a protest against oppression and
hate. Pride is freedom. Pride is us. As we enter this Pride season,
I remind us all to stay vigilant and continue the good fight for
love and acceptance," says Mark Edward Brown from Impulse
NYC.
Impulse Dallas chapter president Ressie Gamble says, "To
stand against terror we have to stand together as one community.
Division between race, economic standing, and gender identity has
kept us separated for far too long. Now is the time to show our
solidarity in hopes of protecting one another as siblings in the
fight for LGBTQ+ equality."
Impulse United Board Member Corey Lyons adds, "It's more
crucial than ever that we remind ourselves our words and actions
carry weight. Here and abroad. We must combat this hate by standing
firmly against any form of legislation that seeks to marginalize us
further."
IMPULSE GROUP, an affinity group of AHF, is a global
organization with over 500 volunteers on five continents whose
purpose is to engage, support and connect gay men globally. Using
social events and innovative marketing campaigns, Impulse tackles
topics such as HIV/AIDS, sexual health, stigma, substance use,
suicide, depression, and inequities within our community. For more
information on Impulse, visit https://impulsegrp.org/
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Leo Rivas Program Director – Impulse Group 951-275-2142
leo.rivas@ahf.org