A vigil has been organised on Tuesday 14th of June at Belfast City Hall at 5:30pm in solidarity with those affected by the horrific shooting of dozens of innocent people in Orlando, Florida. Pulse nightclub was attacked in the early hours of Sunday morning leaving more than 50 people injured and 50 people dead.

Alliance Party LGBT Chairperson and event organiser, Micky Murray said

“This is a horrific incident which has shaken the LGBT community all over the world. LGBT people have been the victims of crime and hatred all over the world, ISIS have been executing LGBT people, Russia have been advocating for discrimination through legislation and even in Northern Ireland our politicians have been discriminating against us.

“The fight for LGBT rights sky rocketed in reaction to the Stonewall riots in 1969, and here we are nearly 50 years later and still we are waking up to headlines of a gun man in Orlando, Florida shooting over 100 LGBT people, we need to stand up against discrimination, stand up against violence, and stand up against hatred in our communities.”

East Belfast Labour Alternative representative, Courtney Robinson, who is helping to organise the event said:

“I’d like to send my condolences to the victims and their families involved in the attack in Orlando. Once again, it’s proven that hate, discrimination and prejudice kill.

“Every time homophobia is perpetuated from those at the top of society, it gives confidence to the thugs who will carry out attacks on our streets.

“Whether it comes from religious fundamentalists, politicians or in our workplace and schools we must oppose and fight homophobia and bigotry in all of it’s ugly forms.”

Belfast City Hall will be lit up white to represent the innocence of victims and a Book of Condolence will be open at Belfast City Hall and Belfast LGBT Centre on Waring Street.

FOYLE: There will be a vigil tonight (13.06.2016), at 6pm in Derry in solidarity with the people of Orlando. There is a Book of Condolence in the Guildhall.

NEWRY: Nrc Newry will be opening a Book of Condolence from tomorrow (14.06.2016), to allow people an opportunity to record condolences and show solidarity with the LGB&T community in Orlando.

The Book will be at Rainbow House, 28a Monaghan Street Newry at the following times during this week;

Tuesday 10:00am – 4:00pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm
Wednesday 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday 12.00 – 3:00pm and 7:00pm -10:00pm
Saturday 2:00pm – 5:00pm