Amy Remeikis/June 18 – Brisbane will hold a candlelight vigil in honour of the scores of LGBTIQA people targeted in the Orlando massacre. 

Headed by the organisers of Brisbane Pride, which held its annual celebration of the queer community and their allies on Saturday, the vigil in the heart of the city is designed to allow people to “express their grief and mourn” the attack on their community in America.

“This morning LGBTIQA+ communities the world over awoke to the heart breaking news of the worst mass shooting in the history of the United States. This was an attack on our community and the depth of shock and mourning runs as deeply in Brisbane as it does anywhere,” Brisbane Pride President Deeje Hancock.

“Following so closely after our own Queens Birthday Ball Awards celebration on Saturday night, the realisation that this violence occured in a place of safety and inclusion, a venue, that like so many others have been for so long, a sacred place of expression and friendship, strikes at the very heart of our LGBTIQA+ community.

“It could have been us. It could have been anywhere.” At least 50 people died when a gunman opened fire in a popular LGBTIQA Florida nightclub in a targeted attack which left another 53 wounded, some critically.

Deeje said Brisbane Pride shared a special connection to Florida and cherished the piece of the original 25th Anniversary mile-long rainbow flag which had been walked through Florida to celebrate the flag’s inception, it had been gifted. 

“We have the only piece of this flag in Australia here in Brisbane and its presence brings home the fact that violence against LGBTIQA+ people is real and affects our community the world over,” Deeje said.

“All those who wish to express their grief and mourn the loss of those in Orlando are welcomed to join us at Reddacliff Place at 6PM on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. A limited candles will be available on the night.”

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