Orlando club was sister’s tribute to gay brother who died of AIDS

The co-owner of Pulse founded the club to honor her late brother, who died of AIDS, and the LGBT community.

Barbara Poma, whose brother died in 1991, opened Pulse in 2004 with business partner Ron Legler. The venue promoted gay rights and put on events supporting happenings in the gay community, ranging from Come Out with Pride to Gay Games, according to the club’s website…

“This is a week I’ll be going to funerals all week long. I don’t even know who was there, but I know I’ll know them,” said Raymond Michael Sharpe, 55, a bartender at another gay bar, who has spoken to Pulse employees and patrons who survived the shooting.

He said Poma is alive, as was Pulse manager Cindy Barbalock, who got out and got home. Reuters was not able to reach Poma by phone on Sunday and Legler declined to speak when he was contacted.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.