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Puerto Rico Unveils First LGBT Monument, Pays Tribute To Orlando Victims

“This tribute to life strengthens our commitment to fight hate — the product of homophobia — with love and respect."

This past week Puerto Rico unveiled its first LGBT monument-which also serves as a memorial to the 49 victims of the mass shooting in Orlando.

The landmark consists of seven concrete pillars with multicolored mosaics representing the rainbow flag of the LGBT community. The pillars were originally meant to commemorate the one year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage, but now it also in memory of those who died at Pulse nightclub-many who were of Puerto Rican descant.

"At the base of the monument is a plaque highlighting the names of the 23 Puerto Rican victims killed in the massacre, with the additional 26 victims listed below," reports the news site Noticel.

Next to the names reads this Spanish quote, a tribute to the Orlando victims:

“This tribute to life strengthens our commitment to fight hate — the product of homophobia — with love and respect. Our slogan resounds in all our hearts: Love is love, is love, is love…”

The final line is taken from Puerto Rican playwright-and Hamilton megastar-Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony awards acceptance speech, the night of the Orlando shooting.

“Today, we celebrate life,” said San Juan mayor Carmen Yulín (pictured above) at the monument’s inauguration at the city's LGBT Pride celebration on June 26. “We must work together to eradicate discrimination and homophobia. We must raise our voice for justice, and the equality of each of us who are human. We must aspire to to have a country where everyone is equal, and no one is judged for who they love.”

Noticel also reports that the landmark is located in San Juan’s Third Millennium Park, at the entrance to the Escobar the Sixth Stadium. It was designed by Alberto de la Cruz and cost an estimated $9 million, funded by the city taxpayers.

h/t: The Advocate

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