Local communities come together to mourn the victims of the Orlando shooting

As LGBTQ people who lived through the AIDS crisis, we know what it looks like & feels like to be scapegoated & isolated in the midst of a crisis that actually requires solidarity, empathy & collaboration from all quarters. The LGBT Partnership, a support and education group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens, usually has its meetings there on Tuesday nights. “It pains us to see that these periods of joy, celebration, and peace have been marred so violently with such horror”. “I think our leaders are going to do a good job of beefing up security”, said Castro resident Jake Merves.

Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna said it’s a call to action.

“I’ve experienced homophobia and hatred – that’s what this is – in many communities”.

“We worry about our safety now”. To make sure that they were aware.

Tammy Dopson, the chair of Capital Pride, said Sunday’s vigil was organized “because people need that in this time”. She was driving and had to pull her vehicle over to process it.

Sunday night, hundreds of people marched in the Fresno’s Tower District for a candlelight vigil remembering the victims of the worst mass shooting in American history.

Mayor Jim Watson issued an emailed statement Sunday offering his condolences after the shooting. We appeal to all in our movement & all who support us to band together in rejecting hatred & violence in all its shape shifting forms. Members of the local LGBTQ, faith and political communities will be on-hand to say a few words. “The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence”.

They helpfully remind us that the most renowned Stonewall veterans were largely people of color, trans women, sex workers and a butch dyke – such a colorful and diverse crew!