On Tuesday, June 14, members of the local LGBTQ+ community and their allies joined one another for a peaceful vigil held in front of One Government Center in downtown Toledo, held in response to the Orlando tragedy. Nearly 300 people— 6 Toledoans for every death— came together in solidarity to show support and mourn the 49 victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting, which occurred around 2am on Sunday, June 12. The event takes precedent as “The deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history,” according to NPR.
Attendees of the vigil proudly waved rainbow flags in the air and held signs that read #WeAreOrlando and #Solidarity in response to this hate crime committed during LGBT Pride month. Groups such as Equality Toledo, Toledo Pride, and The Promise House Project joined forces to host the observance and provide the public with candles to light in remembrance of the victims. As the vigil came to a close, Stone Productions, a Toledo theater company, proudly sang the song, “Seasons of Love”, from the popular musical, Rent.
Lynne Hamer (left) and her kids, Sam Hamer-Light (middle) and Julia Hamer-Light (right) displaying their pride during the Orlando vigil.
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Love is louder than hate
The LGBTQ+ fight is one of love, equality and peace. When attendees were asked why they came to the Orlando vigil, many responded with open hearts.
“Hateful people are vocal. So [we], the loving people, need to be vocal, too,” said Lynne Hamer. The mission of building up love and bringing down hate resounded loudly throughout the vigil. One speaker encouraged the crowd to join in a chant of “love trumps hate.”
As the evening overflowed with support, an ally named Lana (last name withheld) said, “My heart goes out to all those folks in Orlando. I can’t even imagine what their families and friends are going through.”
As a member of the local LGBTQ+ community, Amanda (last name withheld) said, “I actually just came out to my family last year. I’ve known my wife for almost 18 years, we got married last year. So this [event] is very meaningful to me.”
Bartender for the local gay hotspot, Bretz, Steve Witker shows his support for the LGBTQ+ community during the Toledo vigil for Orlando.
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Safe space
In response to the Pulse shooting, advocates nationwide have stepped forward to express the importance of creating a safe community with resources for LGBTQ+ individuals— a place where everyone can come together and feel comfortable in their own skin.
After bartending at Bretz, the popular gay Toledo nightclub, for nearly two decades, Steve Witker said, “Greg Knott, the [late] founder of Bretz, was a good friend of mine. Once a shy, closeted young man, [Greg] helped me find my voice— which allows me to speak up for those who don’t feel comfortable enough to do so. That’s why I’m here— to continue providing a physical safe space where people are [able] to be themselves.” Bretz strives to be that outlet for the LGBTQ+ community.
Amanda (right) and her wife demonstrating love and peace during the Orlando vigil.
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One pride
The LGBTQ+ community remains resilient after the Pulse attack, coming together to fight inequality and injustice. Pride is more than just a collective— it’s a movement. “People resisting individual discrimination everywhere, that’s what pride is,” said Amanda. Worldwide, humans are coming together in the name of love.
For more information on the local LGBTQ+ community, visit:
The Promise House Project, 711 Islington St. 567-343-0972. phptoledo.org
Equality Toledo, 419-407-6225. equalitytoledo.org
Toledo Pride, toledopride.com
