Local LGBT Community Holds Vigil for Orlando Victims

The names of the Orlando shooting victims were each read aloud. Each person attending the vigil was impacted by the tragedy in a unique way.

“I have a lot of friends that are gay. My ex-husband is actually transgender. I’m very supportive… Nobody should deal with that amount of hate. Love is the answer to this,” said Robin Campbell.

Event organizer AUM professor Dr. Paul Hard says there had been concerns over what to do.

“We had folks contacting the different Pride organizations saying should we even have outdoor parades? Should we carry this to an inside venue? Should we keep our heads down? This is one of the reasons we said we are having this event publicly,” said Hard.

Different clergy members spoke encouraging those gathered to stand strong.
Mayor Todd Strange also spoke, promising the city would be there to protect them whenever there were gay pride events.

It was a night for each of them to remember the fallen and stand in solidarity for hope for the future.

“We have nothing to hide. We are not going to cower in a corner. We are going to make it clear, we are standing against this sort of thing. If we don’t, then terrorists like this, hate groups like this, win.”
The group lit candles and sang, “We Shall Overcome” as the vigil ended.