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A candle light vigil will be held in Dunedin tomorrow to pay respect to the victims of the horrific hate crime which took place at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.

The vigil will be a show of solidarity for the victims and will create a space in which members of the GLBT community can come together and support each other.

The vigil is open everyone with organisers urging attendees to bring a candle to light to show their support.

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Organizer and Otago University student Hanha Briggs says that “many people in the Dunedin Queer community, our friends, family and allies are calling for an opportunity to come together to show solidarity with Orlando and to support each other. We feel a deep sadness for the victims and their families; are hearts are with the Orlando queer community at this time.”

The space is intended to be a space free of f Islamaphobia, transphobia, biphobia and homophobia and instead an opportunity to mourn and pay respects to members of our community and supporters of our community who have been cruelly taken away.

If you are unable to make it to the vigil, organisers urge everyone to donate to the gofundme account created to financially assisted all of the victims and their families. These funds will go towards funding lawyers, expert advise and to support foundations that distribute money to those in need. Visit gofundme.com/OrlandoUnited to make a donation.

The vigil will take place at The Lower Octagon, Dunedin at 6pm this Wednesday 15 June.

Image | Chris So for Toronto Star

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