St. John's LGBT community plans vigil to honour Orlando shooting victims

Members of the LGBT community in St. John's are coming together to holda vigil honouring the victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.

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Fiftypeople were killedand 53 were injuredwhen a gunman opened fire inside Pulse nightclub on Sunday morning.

The St. John's vigil is beingspearheaded by Sowyer Making, and will be held at St. John's City HallMonday evening.

These people were just trying to have a good time and live their lives authentically.- SowyerMaking

Making told the St. John's Morning Show that when he first learned of the shooting, hisinitial response was devastation.

"It's definitely something that hit me really hard when I heard about it," he said.

"It was people in my community. Gay men and women."

Making said the shooting has made himquestion hissafety as a member of the LGBT community.

"Which isn't something I've ever felt when I came out, especially in Newfoundland."

Community will come together

After considering the breadth of the shooting, Making said he felt he had to do something.

"I just couldn't get it out of my mind. I couldn't stop crying about it," he said.

After posting a Facebook status to gaugeinterest in a possible vigil, Making said he created an event that quickly went viral.

He said the vigil is a way for the LGBT community and allies to come together to prove they are here for each other, even through tragedies.

"I've had people message me and be like, 'You know I'm not gay or anything like that but Ijust wanted to come and show my respect,'" said Making

"No matter what way you look at it, these people were just trying to have a good time and live their lives authentically."

Making said the vigil will start at 7 p.m. on Monday and will includeguest speakers, an LGBT choir,and give members of the community space to share their thoughts and feelings on the tragedy.

"Hopefully we'll just come together and find some common ground."