A lasting tribute in stone and color
Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride are marking the tenth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting with a series of initiatives that blend remembrance with a forward‑looking message of inclusion.
Permanent rainbow‑colored seats have been installed in Section 12 of the downtown stadium, a symbolic nod to the June 12, 2016 tragedy that claimed 49 lives. The chairs serve as a visual reminder that the victims are honored within the venue itself.
Alongside the seats, the clubs have unveiled a new Unity Kit, developed in collaboration with Nike and the National Women’s Soccer League. The design incorporates a universal peace symbol and a palette that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, reinforcing the clubs’ commitment to a sport that welcomes all.
A portion of the jersey sales — $20,000 — will be donated to The Center Orlando’s United Resiliency Services program, which provides mental‑health support to those still affected by the Pulse tragedy. The contribution underscores the clubs’ ongoing dedication to the well‑being of survivors and families.
The response from fans has been equally powerful. In the weeks following the shooting, supporters spontaneously arranged themselves into a rainbow formation during a home match, a grassroots gesture that prompted Major League Soccer to pause competition for a full minute of silence in the 49th minute of play.
Kaya Hyde, vice president of community impact and diversity, equity and inclusion for both clubs, reflects on the personal significance of the work. Having joined the organization a year before the shooting, Hyde recalls the collective grief and the subsequent resolve to embed the memory of Pulse into the stadium’s fabric.
Hyde, now in her twelfth season with the clubs, says the initiatives are more than symbolic; they are a concrete expression of the belief that soccer can be a unifying force regardless of gender, faith, background, or sexual identity.
As the anniversary approaches, the clubs plan to distribute the special jerseys to survivors and families, ensuring that the spirit of solidarity reaches those most directly impacted.