ORLANDO, Fla. — June marks Pride month around the world. But for survivors of the Pulse shooting and their families here in Central Florida, as well as first responders on duty that horrific night, it’s a painful reminder of what happened four years ago.
One of those survivors, Orlando Torres, is still struggling. Once a promoter for the Pulse nightclub, he hid inside the club’s bathroom for more than three hours while the gunman shot and killed 49 people.
For Torres, the holes on the walls of Pulse signify a second chance at life, as it’s the way police dragged him out to safety.
Today, Torres lives with post-traumatic stress disorder. He says he lacks the finances to get treated by a certified psychologist.
However, despite that and everything he's been through, Torres chooses to continue being part of the night scene.
“I still go out," he told us. "Taking a chance. Yeah, of course, being more vigilant, more observant, knowing where my exits are, seeing everybody, watching everybody.”
"But I am still going to be me and I want everybody to be them," he went on. "And keep dancing, because if you don’t, they win.”
Watch the video above to learn more.