NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The LGBTQ community in New Haven is still hurting one week after the shooting in Orlando. On Sunday community members spoke about what the past week has been like.
News 8 spoke with them at the New Haven Pride Center. Some community members have been to Pulse and know people hurt in the massacre. They say they were devastated afterward – and scared.
Related: New Haven police increase security at LGBTQ clubs in the city
“The community came together for support. Instead of us hiding we came out and it was like, no, we’re going to celebrate our pride,” said Luis Antonio, whose friend Orlando was shot at Pulse last week but is okay. “It’s pride month. We’re not going to hide. We’re going to stand up and stay together as a community.”
June is also Pride month, when many in the community come together for LGBTQ events. Community members say safety is always a concern at these events, and that’s especially true now.
Related: LGBT community coming together to remember Orlando victims
“We all need to work together and not divide off in ways that are unhelpful and harmful,” said Elijah Leigh, a community member who organized the vigil in New Haven last week. “We need to not be feeding into bigotry in any form.”
Community leaders are stressing the importance of using the buddy system and being aware of surroundings.
