During this darkest hour, our hearts and minds are with those in Orlando, Florida. Together, we mourn the tragic loss of life in Orlando.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender night clubs have historically been safe spaces for people facing homophobia and transphobia at work, with family, and throughout their day-to-day lives. It is within these spaces we have organized for civil rights and fought for equality. To violate one of these spaces goes straight to our collective hearts. This horrible mass murder is a stark reminder that the battle to end violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is far from over.

When elected officials in Texas misinform the community about LGBT people, it leads to fear, misunderstanding, and hatred. By fueling hysteria and creating panic where none need exist, our leaders echo the worst chapters of our history, where discrimination runs rampant, and understanding & compassion are absent.

At least 20 Texans have been attacked in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas. As a state and as a country, we have work to do when so many LGBT people are facing so much violence, and even death.

Any act of violence made for a political purpose, is an act of terrorism. As a community, we will mourn and grieve for those who have been killed and injured. And, as a community, we will not be intimidated or deterred from living our lives authentically and with pride.

Vigils:

Austin:

June 12th at 7:30 p.m. At the Capitol

Dallas

June 12th at 8 p.m.

Resource Center

5750 Cedar Springs Rd.

Denton

June 12 at 6 p.m.

Denton County Courthouse

El Paso

June 12th at 9:30 p.m.

San Jacinto Plaza

Fort Worth

June 13th at 7p.m

Celebration Community Church

908 Pennsylvania Ave.

Harlingen

June 13th at 7 p.m.

Valley AIDS Council

2306 Camelot Plaza Circle

https://www.facebook.com/events/1070618356353107

Houston

June 12th at 8 p.m.

Hermann Park, Houston Zoo Entrance

6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030

San Antonio

June 12th at 7 p.m.

Crockett Park

Waco

June 12th at 7 p.m.

Heritage Square