The Rainbow Project has welcomed support for the LGBT community from the Derry public following the massacre of 49 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando.
A candle-lit vigil was held in the Peace Garden on Foyle Street on Monday night and a book of condolence has been opened in the Guildhall.
The Rainbow Project has also opened its own book of condolence at their office in Derry.
Saturday’s attack was the largest mass shooting in American history which has once again provoked calls for tighter gun control laws in the U.S.
Twenty-nine-year-old, Omar Mateen, was identified as the person who carried out the atrocity when he shot 49 people dead, and injured 53 at Pulse nightclub.
It has since emerged that Mateen, who was married, was a regular at the nightclub and may have been questioning his own sexuality.
It’s suggested that those personal issues drove him to commit such an extreme act of violence.
People are divided regarding Mateen’s motives and a debate has broken out about whether it was a terrorist attack or hate crime.
The Derry public and tourists shared their thoughts on the tragedy and offered words of support to the victims and their families.
Those sharing their views in the Guildhall book of condolence included visitors from various states in America, South Africa, Canada and closer to home from Belfast and Derry.
Others showed solidarity with the LGBT community and called for an end to homophobia and acts of violence against the gay community.
One of the comments read: “Now more than ever we need to stand up against homophobia!
“LGBT folk will not live in fear.”
Another said: “Go out and support your local Pride! Send a message to those who use homophobia as a means of terrorism that we will not stand for it.”
Malachai O’Hara, Health and Wellbeing Service Manager at the Rainbow Project, said he was deeply shocked when he heard the news at the weekend.
Although approving of the stance from local politicians who showed solidarity with the LGBT community, Mr O’Hara believes they could have went further.
He dismissed the views of some high-profile figures who have refused to acknowledge that it was a hate crime against the LGBT community as well as a terrorist act.
Mr O’Hara said: “This is the deep end of the wedge in terms of discrimination directed at the LGBT community.
“This attack was an attempt at queer erasure.
“The same people that have tried to build barriers are the ones trying to downplay this attack."
He added: “It was good to see the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, and all parties speak out against it.
“At other times there has been a lack of equality and prejudiced language.
“A toxic discourse has been adopted by some people in the aftermath of the tragedy, there is no doubt this was an attack on our community.
“Attacks on the Pride Festival or bars or clubs are an obvious attack on the LGBT community.”
Derry’s Mayor Hilary McClintock said it was ‘simply unimaginable’ that people out to enjoy a night out could be targeted in such a way.
“The fact that the majority of those targeted were members of the LGBT community has also sent shockwaves through this community across the world, and I want to offer my sympathy and support to local people affected.
“I will be meeting with members of the local LGBT support group the Rainbow Project this afternoon and I will convey to them personally my concern that the LGBT community has been so callously targeted in this way.
“I know that many people across the district will want to show their solidarity and sympathy with the victims, so I will be opening an official Book of Condolence today at the Guildhall.
“I would encourage local people to come along and record their thoughts and condolences for all those who have lost their lives in this latest shocking attack on our society.”
The Book of Condolence will remain open during regular Guildhall opening hours over the coming weeks.
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