HUNDREDS of people came to Cardiff Bay last night to remember the victims of the shootings at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
People of all ages and backgrounds gathered outside the Senedd at 7pm to observe a minute’s silence and show their support for the LBGT community.
The event was organised to show respect and solidarity following the deaths of 49 people last Sunday when 29-year-old Omar Mateen opened fire in Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando.
The gunman had pledged his allegiance to Islamic State before he was shot dead by police while he held a group of hostages in the bathroom of the club.
Vigils were held across the world last night to honour those killed following the deadliest shooting in American history.
In Cardiff, people waved rainbow flags and cheered in support as members of a number of different groups spoke out against the atrocity, including Andrew White, director of Stonewall Cymru, and Lu Thomas of Pride Cymru, two leading Welsh LGBT groups.
The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus also sang a rendition of Judy Garland’s Somewhere Over The Rainbow on the steps of the Senedd.
Several faith group members also gave speeches, including the Evangelical Alliance Wales, South Wales Islamic Centre and The Henna Foundation.
Andrew White, Stonewall Cyrmu director, said: “Although Orlando is thousands of miles away, this feels as if it’s very close to home.
“It feels like an attack on all of us as a community, as a global family.
“People are frightened, people are angry, people are sad, they’re grieving – but people are also more determined than ever to take action, to stand up and be counted and to ensure that we have a world where everyone is accepted – without exception.”
Andrew Bulleyment, musical director of the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “The turnout’s been fantastic – there must be at least 300 people here.
“It’s great to see so many people showing their support and I think the speeches really helped to show that this is something that will bring the whole LGBT community together.”
