At least 50 people are dead and another 53 hurt after what authorities are calling a terror attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando. Read up-to-the-minute coverage here.
BLOOD BANKS
Full list of Florida blood banks
OneBlood blood donation center reached capacity Sunday. However, there is still an urgent need for blood. The center is recommending making an appointment and coming in over the next several days. Click here to visit their website, or call 1-888-9-DONATE.
Note: Reports that the FDA ban on sexually-active gay men donating blood were lifted were false. That ban is still in effect.
DONATE
Equality Florida, a leading LGBT rights group in Florida, has already raised over $135,000 for the victims. You can find their GoFundMe page here.
Quench Lounge in Largo, 13284 N. 66th St, Largo, will be having a donation drop off for the family and victims of the Orlando tragedy. They are accepting water, food items, clothing, monetary donations and anything else those in need may need. Donations will be delivered to the blood bank, crisis center & LGBT community outreach center in Orlando on Monday. Drop off times are:
- 2 p.m. - 2 a.m. today (Sunday)
- 2 p.m. - 5 p.m . tomorrow (Monday).
You can call Equality Florida at 407-228-8272 if you want to learn about other ways to volunteer.
VIGILS
Police discouraged vigils near the incident due to the ongoing investigation, but there were reports of vigils in the Tampa area Sunday and Monday night.
View a statewide list of vigils via Equality Florida's website here.
Bay Area Activist Coalition, Tampa
- Candlelight vigil
- MCC Tampa, Metro Wellness
- 1315 E 7th Ave, Tampa, Fl 33605
- Sunday, 7:45 p.m.
Five Points Park, Sarasota
- Candlelight vigil
- Hosted by Harvey Milk Festival
- Monday, 8 p.m.
MSC Amphitheatre, Tampa
- USF candlelight vigil
- Monday, 5:30 p.m.
GaYBOR Coalition, Ybor
- Candlelight vigil
- Corner of 7th Ave & 14th Street
- Monday, 7 p.m.
Dr. Philips Center Plaza, Orlando
- Candlelight vigil
- Monday, 7 p.m.
There were reports of a candlelight vigil at Curtis Hixon Park downtown and/or Centennial Park in Ybor Monday night. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
COUNSELING
Metro Wellness
- Counseling continuing to be offered for anyone needing it.
- They have staff in Orlando today, and other staff going there tomorrow.
- Anyone wanting to help can drop off donations of money and/or medical supplies to their St. Pete and Tampa locations, and those staff will take it to Orlando when they head up tomorrow.
- If you drop it tomorrow or thereafter, they will still make sure it gets to the right spot.
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We will update this as new info comes into the newsroom.
