Vigil tonight for Orlando shooting victims

A VIGIL will be held tonight in the town centre for the victims of last weekend's Orlando shooting.

The event has been organised by Rotherham’s The Rainbow Project which works towards a brighter future for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Nichola Goodson, trustee for The Rainbow Project, said it was an opportunity for Rotherham's LGBT community, its friends, family and allies to stand in solidarity, light a candle in remembrance and sign a book of condolence.

Last Sunday, 49 people were killed and 53 were injured by a gunman who opened fire on club goers inside gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida.

Omar Mateen, who was shot by police, was responsible for the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in US history, and also the deadliest terrorist attack in the US since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

The shooting has shocked the local LGBT community, Nichola said, and has made people question their safety.

Nichola (43) said: “But it’s also brought a lot of people together and it makes you realise we have got good support networks.”

She added: “Pulse is a safe place and the people in there should have been safe from that sort of attack – it has really struck a chord with us.

“I know people think we live in an inclusive society, but we don’t.”

The trustee said many people who the Rainbow Project supports come up against attacks and prejudice, so the vigil was a chance for people to stand in solidarity.

She added: "And show people we are still here and that we do still need support from the outside world.”

The vigil will be held at the Heart of Steel sculpture in the Minster gardens in Rotherham Town Centre from 7pm to 8pm.

There will be a minute’s silence at 7.30pm and speeches including from the Mayor of Rotherham councillor Lyndsay Pitchley.

The organiser of Sheffield Pride Festival will also lead a song.

Nichola added that this year’s Rotherham Pride festival at Clifton Park on July 16 will be dedicated to the victim’s of the Orlando shooting.

For more information visit www.therainbowproject.org.uk.