Jersey Candlelight Vigil for Orlando Victims

I was among thousands of people wearing rainbow-colored ribbons while holding lit candles at the Jersey City, New Jersey memorial vigil for the slain victims of the massacre at Pulse, a Gay nightclub in Orlando.  Community leaders and elected officials attended the event to show support including Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Senator Sandra Cunningham and Jersey City Council Members Joyce Watterman and Michael Yun. "We are Orlando," said Michael Billy, producer, actor and local gay activist who organized the event. "We are black. We are Hispanic. We are Latino. We are gay. We are lesbian. We are bisexual. We are trans. We are Jersey City."  Also at the vigil were Jonathan Lucas, chair of Hudson Pride Connections Center, Rev. Laurie Wurm, of Grace Church Van Vorst, Christian Fuscarino, the Executive Director of Garden State Equality, activist, actor and recording artist Lovari, Paul Mendoza of InterPride, Trans Activist Babs Casbar Siperstein and many others.  The event packed the Newark Avenue pedestrian plaza in Jersey City on June 14th.