More than 100 Sudburians, many from the Sudbury LGTBQ community stood in solidarity at Tom Davies Square during a vigil Monday night.
The crowd gathered to honour the memory of the victims of a mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that took 50 lives and injured 53 more people.
The LGBTQ community was joined by Mayor Brian Bigger, numerous members of council, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas and GSPS Chief Paul Pedersen.
Bigger spoke to the widespread feelings of sadness that have rippled across North America and in Sudbury since the massacre in Orlando.
“We can all feel the sadness, but when you look around here tonight you do have support,” said Bigger.
“I'd like to say how important it is that we all stand united as a community and send our deepest condolences to the families and the friends of those killed and affected by the horrible events that transpired in Orlando. Our community must stand up and support each other, and the citizens must stand in solidarity with our LGTBQ community neighbours.”
Event organizer, and member of the local transgender rights and education group TG Innerselves Rita Olink addressed the crowd as well, urging them to stand up and help “change the world”.
“I'm not that special, but I can make a change and so can all of you,” said Olink. “We need to stand up and let it be known that bigotry and intolerance is not acceptable in Sudbury.”
The mood was understandaby solemn during the vigil, but there were plenty of applause breaks as speakers took the podium to share their condolences and inspirational messages.
GSPS Chief Paul Pedersen gave a nod to those in Orlando who put themselves in the line of fire.
“I want to acknowledge the emergency responders in Orlando who were tasked with running towards the bullets and the danger to bring back safety to the area,” said Pedersen.
“Not to take anything away from the tragedy that happened, but the first responders are part of our global safety net but they too feel the direct effects of this horrific calls for service.”
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas was visibly shaken throughout her speech, pausing multiple times to compose herself while fighting back tears.
“As the news kept coming in through social media that 20 people, 30 people, 50 people had been killed it sort of sank in that, how could that be, I thought we had left homophobia behind, but it's still there,” said Gélinas.
“I keep realizing that it takes a lot of courage to be part of the LGTBQ community, whether you're a lesbian, gay man, bisexual, trans person, two-spirted, questioning or queer, you have my support. I know that it's not much to offer but I will do my best to make sure that you are part of the community wherever you go. You make our community richer because of who you are and we are proud of who you are.”
