In Edmonton, the Mayor’s Pride Brunch had a more sombre feel Sunday as guests tried to process the deadly mass shooting at a Florida nightclub.
Authorities in Orlando said 50 people were killed and 53 injured when a gunman opened fire inside Pulse Nightclub, a gay club, early Sunday morning.
READ MORE: Orlando shooting: 50 people killed, 53 injured at gay nightclub in Florida
The Mayor’s Pride Brunch caps off a week of Pride celebrations in Edmonton. This year, however, the tone was different.
Mayor Don Iveson said the gathering was more reflective in light of the Orlando shooting. The event started with a moment of silence for the victims.
“We still have work to do,” Iveson said. “There are still pockets of bigotry, pockets of mistrust.”
“I’m the mayor of the fifth-largest city and I feel powerless.”
The fact that this is the Pride Brunch’s 11th year says something about Edmonton, he said.
“Inclusivity for all communities – including our LGBTQ community – runs deep in Edmonton.”
READ MORE: LGBT community reacts after victims ‘had their futures stolen’
The director of Edmonton’s Pride Parade said the Florida attack is another reason events like Pride are still so important and relevant.
“This clearly demonstrates how far we really have to go,” Dave Penny said. “It’s a terrible day for anybody, regardless of your orientation. My heart goes out to those affected.”
“There are no words,” advocate Kris Wells said, calling the attack “staggering.”
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“It’s a stark reminder about why we celebrate Pride. The fact is that hate crimes of this magnitude are still happening close to home,” he said. “It’s a very tragic day but I’m glad we’re here to come together… to process our grief but also to recommit to the work we’re doing in creating safe spaces in our society.”
“I’m just heartbroken at the scale of the violence and what’s happened in Orlando,” Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, who is openly gay, said.
“In 2016, this is still why it’s important to have pride parades. It’s important to extend rights as we’re doing with C-16 for transgender people and it’s incumbent on all actors in civil society to reinforce the fact that diversity makes us stronger, that we need to have communities that are tolerant and welcoming.”
The brunch supports Camp fYrefly, Canada’s only national leadership retreat for sexual and gender minority youth.
READ MORE: Orlando shooting: Canadian officials condemn nightclub attack, offer sympathy to LGBT community
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley issued a statement in response to the Orlando shooting:
“Today, we are devastated by the news of the mass shootings at an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, Florida,” she said.
“Words cannot express our revulsion and outrage at the hatred that fuelled this crime.
“Albertans join with people everywhere in offering our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, partners and loved ones who are suffering this moment. And we resolve to make sense of these senseless events by re-committing ourselves to building communities where love and solidarity triumph over hatred and division.”
A candlelight vigil is planned for 8 p.m. at the Alberta Legislature Sunday.
Edmonton Pride is organizing the event, called “We Stand With Orlando.”
There will also be a card of condolences on site for anyone who would like to offer messages of support and hope.
Edmonton’s High Level Bridge will be lit in Pride colours Sunday night “in support of the LGBTQ spirit and community,” the city said.
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