Long Beach honors lives lost in Orlando shooting

Nearly four days after a gunman killed 49 people and injured more than 50 at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., residents of Long Beach and neighboring towns gathered at Kennedy Plaza Wednesday night to honor the lives lost in the deadliest mass shooting in America’s history.

“When disaster strikes in Long Beach or anywhere else, we all recognize the importance of sticking together as one united community,” City Manager Jack Schnirman told the crowd. “Together we can overcome hate, terror and violence in all of its forms.”

The shooter, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, was American-born and reportedly called police to pledge his allegiance to ISIS during the attack early on June 12. He opened fire at the club, which was a place frequented by many members of the LGBT community. According to published reports, Mateen had expressed homophobic sentiments and was angered after he saw gay men kissing in Miami a few months prior.

“[The shooting] was both an act of terrorism against Americans, and hate against the LGBT community; let’s [underscore] that, it was hate against the LGBT, and tonight we’re coming together to extend our deepest condolences to all the victims and their families,” LGBT Network CEO David Kilmnick said. “We want you to know that your Long Island community, your Long Beach community stands in solidarity with you. We are Orlando.”

Members of the Long Beach City Council and County Legislator Denise Ford said a few words, along with Jewish and Christian religious leaders — including an openly gay Lutheran pastor — as the more than 100 people in attendance held candles. Pride for Youth, a Bellmore-based nonprofit organization that serves the area’s youth lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, also attended.

“We must do more to address homophobia in our own community, whether it be in our statehouses, our schools, our places of worship, in our living rooms,” said Pete Carney, director of Pride for Youth. “We must create a world and embrace a world where two young men can safely walk down Park Avenue in Long Beach, and express who they are and show their love for each other and not live with that fear.”

Community activist Marcus Tinker recounted each of the nation’s many shootings in the last decade to highlight the importance of ending gun violence. Helen Dorado Alessi, executive director of The Latino Civic Association, reminded the crowd that it was Latino night at the club during the tragedy. Alessi, along with students from Long Beach High School, led in reading the names of the victims killed in the shooting, many of whom were gay Latino men under the age of 40.

“I’m part of the LGBT community, I’m gay, I have no shame in saying that, but I’m definitely scared for the future,” said Christopher Fox, whose friend moved to Orlando for an internship and was killed in the attack. “We need to celebrate the lives that they lived, and how amazing some of the people were.”

The massacre occurred just days after Long Beach announced that it would partner with the LGBT Network to host the Long Island PrideFest and Parade next year. Councilwoman Anissa Moore called for the vigil, and helped organize the event, asking people to come together to support each other in the time of sadness and shock.

“I’m just overwhelmed with this outpouring of love for the LGBT community, but also that Long Beach came together, different people, different races, different religions all as one standing right here in front of City Hall,” Moore said. “...I hope that we continue with this theme of unity…but also that we’ll work to really leave a legacy for our young people of love and acceptance, and will let go of all of the labels that have divided for us for so long.”