One of Our Favorite Scenes Post-Orlando This Year

The Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ rights organization, was transformed into a powerful tribute to the victims of the June massacre in Orlando, Florida, which left 49 people dead.

Weeks later, as memorials were posted and talk show pundits played down the LGBTQ aspects of the crime — as well as the fact that most of the victims were people of color — HRC hung large-scale images of every victim in 49 windows of its building. HRC handed passersby memorial programs with the photos, names, and ages of the victims.

“The victims were gunned down in a place they felt free to be themselves,” said HRC’s Jay Brown. “In remembering their lives, we owe them boldness and strength and a show of force that cannot be ignored.”