Members of Warwick Pride gathered in the Helen Martin Studio today in an act of remembrance for those in the LGBT+ community who have lost their lives due to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. The vigil was organised in light of the recent attacks in Orlando.
Last Sunday a lone gunman killed 49 people at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida. The gunman later made public his allegiance to terror group ISIS, and the global LGBT+ community were left shaken by this homophobic attack.
The speakers at today’s vigil raised issues about links between race and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, the politicisation of the attack and America’s gun laws. The names of all the victims were read out and the evening concluded with a minute’s silence.
Earlier this week University House raised the Pride flag at half-mast outside the main entrance as an act of respect on behalf of The University of Warwick,
Warwick Pride would like to thank the Chaplaincy and the Islamic centre for providing immediate spiritual support after the attack and for providing refreshments after the vigil, the members of the Symphony Orchestra who performed and also to the Student’s Union for their support.