Members of Calgary’s LGBTQ community are speaking out in the wake of a deadly mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando that killed 50 people and wounded 53 others.
Omar S. Mateen has been identified as the gunman who opened fire inside Pulse Nightclub. The massacre is the worst mass shooting in United States history.
READ MORE: Orlando shooting the deadliest in American history, just the latest in long string of attacks
Although progress has been made, Skelenar said there is still intolerance around the world.
“At the end of the day, there is still violence against LGBTQ across the nation, across the world; it’s just not talked about as much anymore because it’s not as open in public. So we want to take this as an opportunity to have those discussions about what still is occurring here in Canada, in the United States, North America and the world.”
WATCH: Calgary Pride’s director of government affairs Craig Sklenar joins Global Calgary with reaction to the deadly shooting at a gay club in Orlando, Florida
For Sklenar, this weekend’s violence was a sad reminder why safety is top priority at local LGBTQ gatherings.
However, he said the city’s Pride parade is also a time to prove Calgary’s LGBTQ community will not live in fear.
“These acts of violence should not be stood for – and we need to gather in these moments and take a pause and remind ourselves that we’re just here to live our lives on a day to day basis.”
On Sunday, Calgary Pride released the following statement regarding the Orlando shooting:
“On behalf of Calgary’s LGBTQ community, Calgary Pride offers its heartfelt condolences to those impacted by the shooting in Orlando, Florida at Pulse Nightclub early this morning. In this deeply tragic event that took 50 lives and injured 53 more, we are faced with a painful reminder of the hate and discrimination faced by our community. As a family, we mourn the loss of life, and come together in strength and solidarity with our LGBTQ siblings around the world. A candlelight vigil has been organized for tonight, Sunday June 12th at 9:00pm in Olympic Plaza, where the victims will be remembered and mourned. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own candles and matches.
Those who are experiencing distress from these events are encouraged to contact the Calgary Distress Centre 24 hour crisis line, at (403) 266-4357, where resources are readily available.”
Calgary Queer Church is a place where spirituality and the LGBTQ community come together. Program director Pace Anhorn said the weekend tragedy has given him pause for reflection.
“How can there still be that much hate out there – and how could somebody go to this great of an extent to take peoples’ lives,” Anhorn said. “Unless you abide by this, this is what we’re going to do to you – and it saddens me because that’s control, that’s ego, that’s not love.”
About 400 people gathered at a vigil to honour the victims of the Orlando shooting held at Olympic Plaza on Sunday night. The attendees lit candles held colourful rainbow flags to show their support.
“It’s still a lot to process,” organizer Nolan Hill said. “There’s just so many questions that I think remain unanswered.”
For other Calgarians, the images of the massacre are surreal.
Dustin Franks and his partner had gone to Pulse Nightclub, where the shooting happened, while on vacation in Orlando just last year.
“It’s right in downtown Orlando, it’s right by the lake. It was a great time and you meet lots of different people given it’s Orlando and there’s lots of people there to visit the parks,” Franks said. “It’s just tragic. It’s not just 50 LGBTQ that have lost their life, it’s 50 young people that have lost their life.”
– With files from Lisa MacGregor and Melissa Ramsay
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