Orlando shooting victims mourned with flags at half-mast in Manitoba
Manitobans reach out to support the LGBT community
The flags at city halls in Winnipeg and Brandon are at half-mast to honour the victims of the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
Mayor Brian Bowman tweeted that Winnipeg stands in solidarity with Orlando and the LGBT community.
"On behalf of all Winnipeggers, I want to offer my deepest condolences to all families and friends of the victims of the senseless violence that occurred in Orlando, Fla., over the weekend," Bowman said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
"My heart sank when I learned of what happened."
Not long after, Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest also tweeted that flags are lowered at that city hall in honour of the victims and their families.
A Pride flag outside University Centre on the University of Manitoba campus in Winnipeg is also at half-mast "as we express our condolences and stand with communities around the world opposed to hatred," said president David Barnard.
Vice-president (external) John Kearsey's response to the shootings was deeply emotional.
"I tried sitting in front of the television and watching the Orlando coverage. I simply cannot. Instead, I am sitting and praying for the families and friends who are grieving right now. Praying for those persecuted for their sexuality, faith, skin colour," he said in a news release. "I'm praying for peace."
In a statement on Monday, interim NDP Leader Flor Marcelino said her heart goes out to the families and friends who lost loved ones in Orlando.
"This was an act of homophobic violence against the LGBTTQ* community — not only in Orlando, but for communities and individuals around the world," she said.
"Here in Manitoba, we worry about our LGBTTQ* youth, who are now witnessing an event of this magnitude for the first time. There must be many who are feeling vulnerable and terrified."
It's important to remind the youth that homophobia of any kind can not be tolerated in Manitoba, Marcelino added.
Early Sunday morning, a man armed with an assault rifle opened fire inside a gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others before he was killed in a shootout with police.
Winnipeggers are reaching out to support the LGBT community in the wake of the shooting in different ways.
- Winnipeggers hold vigil after deadly shooting at Orlando gay nightclub
- Orlando nightclub attack: Gunman had been investigated for terror links
"[S]ometimes people question the importance of small things we do, like having gender neutral washrooms, or including a manifesto in every one of our menus," a post on the bar's Facebook page said. "[T]he reason for this is that we acknowledge the often ignored reality that many people — due to their ethnicity, religion, sexual or gender identity, etc. — do not have equal rights in this world, and without equality, we have violence."
The tragic shooting is a reminder that homophobia and transphobia still exist, said Jonathan Niemczak, president of Pride Winnipeg.
"This can happen anywhere. As tragic as it is, we always hope it would never happen here," Niemczak said.
Pride Winnipeg has an 80-page emergency preparedness plan for all volunteers and staff to read, because "homophobia is still around, even in Winnipeg," he said.
It has been difficult for LGBT people around the world to comprehend what happened, Niemczak said.
"I think it's just a complete state of shock. We just got off of the largest Pride parade in Winnipeg's history," he said, adding that he was encouraged by all of the support shown for Manitoba's LGBT community.
"Last week we had tons of dignitaries at our rally speaking.… That just shows the wide range of support that we have in our province and our city."
Pride Winnipeg has planned a candlelight vigil for the victims and their families for 8:30 p.m. on the steps of the Manitoba Legislative Building.
"I will be standing in solidarity tonight with many Winnipeggers and Manitobans, together with and in support of Winnipeg's LGBTTQ community, to honour victims as well as support families and friends," Bowman said in his statement.
"Just a week ago, I was joined by many mayors from across Canada as we marched together in Winnipeg's Pride parade and celebrated our diversity. This weekend's events underscore how essential it is that we not lose our resolve in building a community, a city and a nation committed to acceptance, equality, safety and inclusivity for everyone.
"I encourage all those who are able to join me."