Chattanooga's LGBTQ community is holding a candlelight vigil "in honor of the lives lost in our community to hate, discrimination, and suicide," and to honor the victims of violence at the Orlando Nightclub Shooting on the second anniversary of that attack.
The Candlelight Vigil For Victims of Hate & Pulse Memorial will be held next Tuesday directly following the Chattanooga City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Local LGBTQ citizens and allies will gather outside the council building starting at 7 p.m.
Scheduled speakers include Mayor Andy Berke and Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy, Councilwoman Dr. Carol Berz and Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod, starting a 7:30 p.m., and then the reading of the names and stories of local LGBTQ citizens who have been lost to hate, discrimination, and suicide. The names of all 49 victims of the Orlando Nightclub shooting will be read and remembered.
Community members may submit a request to read names to be remembered by using the form on the group's website.
https://www.cityofequality.org/events.html
Details on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1038807012950642/
Marcus Ellsworth, president of Tennessee Valley Pride, said “Our community knows the pain of loss. We have seen lives taken, families broken, and dignity denied. But we also know how to persevere, stand together, and defend our innate right to live, love, and be loved. At times like this, we remember those we have lost to hatred. We also remember that we will keep fighting for our right to thrive in the name of love.”
Vigil organizer Samantha Boucher said, “The LGBTQ community has a touchstone event which feels like September 11thdoes for most Americans. The tragedy that changed our lives is the Pulse Nightclub attack. For the rest of our lives we will remember June the 12th the same way someone might remember where they were on 9/11 or when Kennedy was shot. You are changed and never feel secure again.”
Vigil organizer Ginger Moss said, “Pride month commemorates the Stonewall riots which launched the LGBTQ civil rights movement. Sadly, it also marks a tragedy for our community because of the 49 individuals shot down at the Pulse nightclub. Until Chattanooga’s LGBTQ citizens have equality, we are vulnerable to such attacks.”