Toronto’s annual Pride Parade will be dedicated to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting after 50 people were killed and 53 more were wounded when gunfire erupted early Sunday morning.
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I was numb when I arrived at church.
The report also said that in 11 USA states there were 1,253 incidents of violence against LGBTQ people and those with HIV in 2015, an 8 percent drop from 2014. Toronto stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community around the world #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/Tof8Qqrsdv – John Tory (@JohnTory) June 13, 2016Toronto stands with #Orlando. I hope that you see that it’s okay too.
“Our only response that we could think of was to ask people to gather to share stories, to stand together. because people need that in this time”, said Tammy Dopson, chair of Capital Pride, which hosted the vigil Sunday night.
“It should just be about accepting everyone whether you agree with them or not”. This is an attack on everyone, she said, before beginning to read out the names.
Some people noted that the shooting came in the midst of events to mark Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride month, with vigils held in locations that became significant milestones in gay-rights activism, such as New York’s Stonewall Inn. “We will keep those affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish them strength in their battle against hatred, discrimination and extremism”.
“Why can’t they just let us be?” Speaking to Independent.ie after the ceremony, Minister Varadkar said it’s important that events in Florida don’t put people off celebrating LGBT Pride.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
The LGBT community in Limerick also held a candlelight vigil in the city yesterday.
“I know that you have all been feeling a tremendous range of emotions, since we’ve all heard about this disgusting hateful attack on Orlando and on your and our community. So, you go to the safe place and somebody came in and violated that safe place, and it’s really hard to imagine”, he says.
“Even though you may not be of the same political strife or the same political persuasion or even background. We need to make the city a safe place as well”.
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And in a time of fear, tonight’s vigil helped a grieving community find light among the darkness.
