INDIANAPOLIS -- The mass murder at a gay nightclub in Orlando happened the same day as Pride Parades in many cities, and it took place the day after Pride Week events ended in Indy.
Indy Pride issued this statement after news of the Pulse nightclub shooting that killed at least 50 people Sunday morning:
Yesterday our community celebrated loudly with the Circle City IN Pride Festival. Today, we reflect on the lives lost in a senseless act of violence in Orlando, Florida. While the details are still being discovered, what we know is that the lives of members of the LGBTQ+ community were lost at Pulse Nightclub.
These are the lives of our brothers and sisters.
These are the lives of people who were likely celebrating like us last night.
These are the lives that show us that our journey as a community is far from finished.
While this act of violence can create fear within the LGBTQ+ community, we must not let the lives lost be in vain. Today is a moment for us to unite as a community to mourn the loss in Orlando and to illustrate to the world that we are not scared to be who we are and to love whom we love.
Indy Pride will host a vigil to honor the victims of the Orlando shooting from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre. Admission is free, though Indy Pride says there may be a charge for some parking since an event is already taking place at the Murat Theatre. The doors of the Egyptian Room open at 5:30 p.m., and those attending are asked to enter the building on the Alabama Street side.
