In Missouri and Kansas, LGBT community reacts with horror to Orlando massacre

Dozens of people gathered Sunday evening at Barney Allis Plaza to show solidarity with the victims of Sunday’s massacre at a gay bar in Orlando, Fla., that killed at least 50 people.

“We cannot be silent about hate or violence,” said Felicia Kyle, the executive director of Like Me Lighthouse. “We cannot be afraid. We are here to grieve, but we are loved. We are one. No matter who were are, where we are or how we feel, we are not alone.”

Like Me Lighthouse helped organize the vigil, held after a previously scheduled Heartland Men’s Chorus show at the Folly Theater. At the beginning of the concert, the chorus held a moment of silence for the victims of Sunday’s attack.

“It’s horrific. It’s awful. And I don’t know how anyone can think about what happened today in Orlando and not realize that the hatred has to stop somewhere,” said Chris Hernandez, a member of the chorus. “It just does.”

The chorus sang “Singing for Our Lives” at the vigil.

John Garrison attended the vigil and said he burst into tears when he heard the news.

“This affects the entire LGBT community because somebody is targeting us because of who we are,” Garrison said. “This is not just a hate crime against the LGBT community. This is a hate crime against mankind.”

Mayor Sly James spoke first at the vigil.

“I don’t know about you, but my heart is sick, my body is sick, and my brain is tired,” he said.

Jen Harris, a local poet, echoed his thoughts.

“I’m tired of holding my friends and watching them cry,” she said after the vigil. “I’m tired of burying my friends. I’m tired of having to come together for tragedy.”

Harris said she feels like she should count her blessings, “but I also realize that 50 people who could’ve been me are dead.”

It was not immediately clear whether the attack was an act of terrorism, domestic or otherwise, or a hate crime. But the gay community is reeling.

“Heartbreaking doesn’t begin to describe this tragedy,” said Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, an advocacy group based in Wichita.

“This is particularly difficult during Pride Month,” said Steph Perkins, executive director of Promo, a counterpart organization in Missouri. “We urge everyone to support each other and love each other, especially in this month where we celebrate our perseverance as a community.”

James tweeted to Mayor Buddy Dyer in Orlando.

“Mayor Dyer, please know that the citizens of #KansasCity & I are deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and we pray for #Orkando (sic),” the tweet said.

Witt saw Sunday’s attack in context with others, including the shootings last year at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic and the anti-Semitic inspired killings in 2014 in Johnson County.

“As our inclusion in everyday society continues to grow, the extremists will continue to lash out,” Witt said. “Some will lash with words. Others will resort to violence.”

The manager of Sidekicks Saloon, a gay bar in Kansas City, said security measures there include always having a gatekeeper stationed at the door.

“With stuff like this, you never know what’s enough,” manager Robert Taylor said Sunday morning. “It’s pretty tragic.”

This story was originally published June 12, 2016 at 12:47 PM with the headline "In Missouri and Kansas, LGBT community reacts with horror to Orlando massacre."