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From a day of celebration to a day of mourning, Sunday’s shooting in Orlando is being remembered by the local LGBTQ community.Timmins Pride is holding a vigil tonight at 9 p.m. and is inviting everyone to join them.  Pride committee member, Julie Demarchi says this attack was major reality check for her and the rest of the LGBTQ community.

“We’re not as safe as we like to think we are.  Even though we’re celebrating in a safe place it’s our safe place and people can still enter it and cause harm.”

The gunmen killed 49 and injured over 50 others and while some did escape, Demarchi says this will traumatize them for some time.

“There are still some people who are out and their family and friends know their out but they won’t attend Pride parades or rallies for fear of this happening.”

Demarchi also noted Canada has been far more accepting to stricter gun laws and inclusive to the LGBTQ community.

Tonight’s vigil is being held at the Timmins and Area Women in Crisis Centre at 355 Wilson Ave.

Filed under: Local News