Orlando shooting victims honored across Colorado Springs

(Photo: KOAA News 5)
(Photo: KOAA News 5)
COLORADO SPRINGS – Members of the LGBTQ community gathered together in Colorado Springs for multiple vigils to honor the victims of this attack. Thoughts of disbelief, shock and heartbreak were shared by hundreds across the area.For this group, Sunday night was a night about bringing the community together during this tragic time.

“Once I saw that it was a Untied States mass murder and then saw that it was a gay club, my heart broke,” Kari Sullivan, a Colorado Springs resident said.

A community in shock, more than 1500 miles away from this tragic scene. At least 50 dead after a gunman opened fire on an Orlando gay bar and dance club.

“Woke up this morning in tears. It’s tragic, it’s heartless and it really shows how much work needs to be done in the LGBT community,” Jake Walker, President and CEO of Springs Equality said.

Candlelight flames lit across Colorado Springs to honor the victims.

“This morning, I woke up and really felt a call to action to try to get people together,” Sullivan said.

Unable to fathom why something this could happen, Sullivan organized a vigil in Acacia Park. Another was held a popular Colorado Springs gay bar, Club Q.

“As a community we can come together and show our love and that we are a community of love,” Jerri Crouse, a Colorado Springs resident said.

Crouse handed out dozens of rainbow ribbons at Club Q to show solidarity.

“We’re not going to stay in our homes and that we’ve come to a place where we feel safe and we hope it stays safe but we come together and we hug each other and we tell each other that we care and that we care for those that lost lives or lost loved ones,” she said.

For decades gay clubs like this one have been somewhat of a safety zone for the LGBTQ community. A place without judgment, fear or hate… Now targeted.

“It could have been any of us, we have been saying all day, that could have been any of our brothers that are just not coming home tonight,” Drew Hipp, a Colorado Springs resident said.

That tragedy however, not keeping hundreds away from banding together.

“We are a community of love,” Crouse said.

Colorado Springs Police were present at both vigils but no issues came up at either event.

Another vigil will be held on Monday night in Pueblo at Sister City Plaza at 5:30 p.m.

Source: KOAA News 5

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