Mother of Pulse victim to speak at Democratic National Convention

nadine1Christine Leinonen, a mother who lost her son in the Pulse nightclub shooting, will speak at the Democratic National Convention July 27.

Although she is not listed on the official DNC schedule, Leinonen is expected to take the stage at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 8:00 p.m., according to an Equality Florida Facebook post. Pulse survivors Jose Arriagada and Brandon Wolf will also join her.

Drew Leinonen, the 32-year-old son of Christine Leinonen, was killed in the June 12 massacre, along with his 22-year-old boyfriend Juan Guerrero. Drew Leinonen was a gay-rights activist and UCF alum, who graduated with a Bachelor’s in 2007 and Master’s in 2009.

In an effort to promote awareness for the victims of Pulse and the #ForThe49 movement, Christine Leinonen is attending the DNC alongside Equality Florida’s CEO Nadine Smith.

Equality Florida launched the #ForThe49 initiative through a five step process on their website, which is as follows:

  1. Signing a pledge that commits to standing up for justice and equal protection for all by speaking out against hatred, homophobia and bigotry of any kind.
  1. Posting a photo or short video on social media, with #ForThe49, explaining why taking a stand is important.
  1. Further sharing the #ForThe49 movement on social media by sharing a link to the pledge.
  1. Simply telling a loved one, friend or neighbor that you support them.
  1. Donating to the Equality Florida Institute.

Christine Leinonen will not be the only person affected by gun violence to speak at the DNC. After the convention gavels in at 4:30 p.m., Erica Smegielski, who lost her mother, Dawn Hochsprung, in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting, is scheduled to speak as well. Felicia Sanders and Polly Shepard, two of the three survivors of the Mother Emanuel Church shooting in Charleston, S.C., will follow Smegielski’s speech.

Photo and video courtesy of Nadine Smith.

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