Article and Photo by Jason Setnyk

Cornwall Ontario – At the request of Cornwall City Council, the Pride flag will be flown at the Justice Building next to City Hall this week in honour of the victims of the tragic event in Orlando.

49 people died, and 53 more were injured by a lone gunman at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando Florida.

A brief flag raising and vigil will be held on Friday June 17th at 12 pm to honour the victims and their families. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Members of the local LGBTQ community are still in shock and mourning these tragic events. A Facebook event page has been started to rally people to attend the vigil.

LGBTQ members and supporters are also welcomed to attend a potluck and meet and greet at Lamoureux Park (in the field next to the ANAF) at 5pm on Friday June 17th.

Members of Cornwall City Council are also still in shock. According to Carilyne Hébert the fight for equality is no where near over in 2016.

“It is heart breaking that we are still fighting such hate of all forms in 2016. It reminds us that even with the progress that has been made we will always have to fight for equality and lgbtq rights. Lgbtq rights are human rights. The flag raising and vigil is an important gesture. It shows that we are and inclusive and open community and gives our residents an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the victims from the tragic event, their families and the entire lgbtq community,” laments City Councillor Carilyne Hébert.

Almost a year ago the US Supreme Court struck down state marriage bans and thus allowing same sex marriage across the United States. In Canada the Civil Marriage Act legalized gay marriage eleven years ago. Despite these gains towards equality, homophobia, hate, and even acts of violence still occur.

“We can’t let acts of hate and terror tear us apart. We must stand united against them. By raising the Pride flag, and having it at half mast, we are showing our solidarity with the victims of the Orlando shooting. It is also our way of remembering them and saying: never again”, City Councillor Justin Towndale added.