“You would be my kind of guy,” the classmate said Mateen told him.Įmployees and patrons at Pulse told ABC News that Mateen went to the bar on a regular basis.Ĭhris Callen, a performer at the club, said Mateen “didn’t seem homophobic to me.” One night, he said, Mateen asked him if he was gay. It was the 25th anniversary of Gay Days, one of the largest gay pride events in the world.FBI agents are hearing accounts of Omar Mateen’s presence at gay clubs going back years.Ī former classmate at a police academy - who requested he not be identified - told ABC News that Mateen hung out with him and others, frequenting Florida gay bars while they were at the Indian River State College training program, as far back as 2006. As many as 150,000 in the LGBT community attend area theme parks, gay nightclubs and special events. Orlando wrapped up its annual week-long Gay Days festival on June 6. Small dance floor, however the music was good." 5, 2012, "kinda started off slow but the night picked up. Dancers and drag shows round out the party."Īn online review of Pulse on the same website by a user called jetdc74 said an evening at the club on Aug. Don't miss the club's ultra lounge - all white and LED lighting (think Halo in DC or Miami). Pulse is described on the Ga圜ities website as having "three different areas to mix it up, including an outdoor patio. Thank you for your prayers." View Playlist: Deadly mass shooting at Orlando nightclub "She got out with manager Neema," Sofia said on Facebook.Īngelica Jones of Orlando, Pulse's resident entertainer, also posted a message on Facebook early Sunday: "God's good. Kenya Michaels, a drag queen from Puerto Rico, was scheduled to appear at Pulse on Saturday evening along with another entertainer called Jasmine International, according to Michaels' Facebook page, which displayed a flyer for the show. Yara Sofia, another Puerto Rican drag queen and reality television personality, said Michaels was safe. Legler is the president of the Florida Theatrical Association. Most importantly, (we) coined the name Pulse for John’s heartbeat - as a club that is John’s inspiration, where he is kept alive in the eyes of his friends and family."Īccording to Poma's LinkedIn profile, she works for RB Management, a company that operates three establishments: Wildside Bar & Grille restaurants, Pacino's Italian Ristorante and Pulse Orlando. "It was important to create an atmosphere that embraced the gay lifestyle with décor that would make John proud. However, when John came out to his family and friends, the family dynamic transitioned from a culture of strict tradition to one of acceptance and love," the club's website says of Poma's brother. "Being raised in a strict Italian family, being gay was frowned upon.
Orlando police said 50 people were killed and 53 wounded by a lone assailant who was shot dead at the scene by a police SWAT team. “Please know that my grief and heart are with you.” “I want to express my profound sadness and condolences to all who have lost loved ones,” she said in the statement. Pulse refers to itself as "not just another gay club." Saturday night was Latin night. From the beginning, Pulse has served as place of love and acceptance for the LGBTQ community.” “Pulse, and the men and women who work there, have been my family for nearly 15 years. “Like everyone in the country, I am devastated about the horrific events that have taken place today,” Poma said in a statement.
It hosts nightly themed performances as well as a monthly program of LGBT-related educational events. Her brother died from AIDS.īarbara Poma opened Pulse on Orange Avenue with friend and co-founder Ron Legler in 2004. One of the owners of the Orlando nightclub where 50 people were shot dead early Sunday started it to promote awareness of the area's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.