Nearly a decade after a gunman killed 49 people and wounded 53 more inside a Florida nightclub, Madonna is using her current tour to shine a light on the lives lost during the "biggest terrorist attack in America after 9/11."
While onstage during one of her Celebration Tour shows in Miami at the Kaseya Center on Tuesday, Madonna reflected on the June 12, 2016 shooting, which took place at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando.
"I want to draw attention to that moment because nightclubs and music and dance are what bring us together. They shouldn't be places or things that we do that bring us sadness and tragedy and murder and death and pain and suffering and trauma," she told the audience. "But unfortunately human beings are still stuck in some kind of a rut."
The seven-time GRAMMY winner, who has served as a longtime ally of the LGBTQ+ community, noted that she invited some survivors and their families as well as families of those who were killed to the show. "I will always stand for the gays, always," she continued, "because the gays have always stood for me."
Noting she was "very emotional" about this as she audibly fought back tears, the pop icon acknowledged, "I make dance music. My job is to bring people together, to make people dance, to make people happy, to not judge. This s**t is not supposed to happen. Don't forget about it."
As she concluded her message, Madonna called out everyone listening and reminded them of their own responsibility toward the greater good.
"We're all guilty of discrimination in one way or another. Therefore we are, on a global level, contributing to these crimes of hate," she said, per People. "Therefore, I ask you all to remember your responsibility, and I ask you all to remember you have the ability to shine light in the world and to make a difference."
Following the seventh anniversary of the shooting last June, Madonna was hospitalized with a bacterial infection -- including a 48-hour medically induced coma -- spurring the postponement of the tour.
"Thank you for your positive energy, Prayers and words of healing and encouragement," she wrote in an Instagram statement breaking her silence on her near-death hospitalization. "I have felt your love. I'm on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all the blessings in my life. My first thought when I woke up in the hospital was my children. My second thought was that I did not want to disappoint anyone who bought tickets for my tour. I also didn't want to let down the people who worked tirelessly with me over the last few months to create my show. I hate to disappoint anyone. My focus now is my health and getting stronger and I assure you, I'll be back with you as soon as I can! The Current plan is to reschedule the North American leg of the tour and to begin in October in Europe. I couldn't be more grateful for your care and support."
She officially kicked off the tour in London on Oct. 14, 2023 and went on to perform shows spanning Europe, the United States and Canada. The tour will culminate in one Rio de Janeiro show on May 4.
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