A haunting rendition of “Amazing Grace” was sung Sunday as members of the Lethbridge community tearfully gathered on the steps of city hall to mourn the loss of 49 people killed at a gay night club in Orlando.
A vigil was held for a chance to mourn and try to understand what may have seemed like an unimaginable loss.
“I think the scary thing is that it is not unimaginable and that these types of hate crimes happen around the world all of the time,” Richie Wilcox, co-founder of the gay space Club Didi, said. “Again and again the queer community comes together and shows their strength and support for each other.”
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Jay Whitehead is another co-founder of Club Didi and gave an emotional speech to the crowd. He said he was immediately shaken when he heard the news.
“It’s a scary feeling to be someone who goes to gay clubs frequently, and to see that kind of violence happening in a space where I would typically be on a weekend,” Whitehead said.
“It’s a scary feeling and to be honest I’m not quite sure I’ve fully processed it.”
Grim faces were lit by candles as the tragedy landed during what is know as pride month in North America.
Community leaders were also able to join the vigil with little notice, and tried to understand how to move forward.
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“My heart is aching,” MLA for Lethbridge East Maria Fitzpatrick said. “I just – my brain can’t fathom that kind of hatred.”
While the vigil was somber, there was a heavy emphasis on the strength and power of community, and hope for the future.
“I say be vocal, and be visible, and be out and proud,” Wilcox said. “[Don’t] let this hinder your life and the way you live it. Push aside the fear and go forth and know that others are with you.”
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