Candlelight vigil held in Brandon for victims of Orlando shooting

More than 100 people gathered in Brandon Wednesday night to remember the victims of Sunday's deadly Orlando, Fla. nightclub shooting and to show solidarity for the LGBT community around the world. 

A candlelight vigil was held on the steps of Brandon city hall. So many people turned out, the crowd spilled out on to the front lawn and sidewalk. Some wiped away tears as the names of the 49 victims were read out before a moment of silence. 

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Forty-nine people were killed when a gunman opened fire in an Orlando LBGT nightclub early Sunday morning. Dozens more were hospitalized. Since the shooting, communities around the world have been showing their support for the victims, their families and the LGBT community.

Nikki Wirth organized Brandon's vigil after seeing one was being held in Winnipeg. She was overwhelmed to see the amount of people come out that did. 

"I had to fight back tears, honestly. It was a little overwhelming," she said.  "There's a lot more than I expected and it's awesome."

Wirth wasn't the only one moved by the support.

"I didn't actually know there were so many allies in Brandon," said Nicole Hughes. She attended the vigil with her partner, Kathleen, and a group of friends. "It was really impressive."

Vigil held during pride week 

The vigil was held in the middle of the city's pride week. An event was pushed back to allow those taking part in pride to attend. 

"I think the community obviously needed a moment, an event, a time where they could come together collectively to mourn, to express their feelings," said Ken Jackson, chair for Brandon Pride.

Among those in attendance were members of the Brandon Police Service as well as mayor Rick Chrest and city councillors. Speeches were given by Wirth, Jackson, a Klinic representative and others, including Navan Forsythe, who was also amazed by the turnout. 

"My message for the crowd is that... silence has it's place," he said afterwards. "Individual expression and personal stories have their place."

Event brings issues to forefront 

"We are  a community and when we speak as one united voice people have no choice [but] to listen and we can make the changes we want if we stay organized and strong," he added. 

He encouraged others to write letters or do whatever they had to do to make their voices be heard when it comes to LGBT issues. Both Forsythe and Jackson said that it's important to bring issues to the forefront. 

"I think a lot more people are aware... it's kind of a bit of a sad statement that it takes something as horrific as Orlando to bring issues out into the open, I think they have," Jackson said. 

Brandon Pride will raise the flag Thursday morning at Brandon city hall and then lower it again to half-mast to honor the victims.