Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Orlando Pulse Club Shooting Held at Zone

from NW PA Pride Alliance

On Sunday, June 12, about 75-100 members of Erie's LGBT community and their supporters gathered at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, to mourn the tragic deaths of 50 people killed in the Orlando Pulse Night Club shooting, considered to be the worst mass shooting in US history.

The event was organized by NW PA Pride Alliance. Speakers included Alex Sphon, president of NW PA Pride Alliance; Rev. Dr. Rich McCarty, senior pastor of Community United Church; Michael Mahler, co-editor of Erie Gay News; and Bob Merski, Erie City Councilmember. Other elected officials attending included Erie County Councilmembers Andre Horton and Jay Breneman.

Coverage was provided by both local TV news crews and also Erie Times News.

Organizations with representation at the vigil included Community United Church, NW PA Pride Alliance, TransFamily Support Group of NW PA; PFLAG Meadville, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, Drenched Fur, Zone Dance Club, LBT Women of Erie, Crime Victim Center, Erie Gay News, and Keystone Progress.

One of the past co-owners of Pulse was Erie native Ron Legler, who now lives in the Baltimore area.

The Erie LGBT community extends their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of this horrible tragedy.