Members of the University of Delaware, LGBT and surrounding communities held a candlelight vigil on UD’s South Green Tuesday evening, June 14, to remember the victims of the massacre in Orlando, Florida.

The vigil was organized by Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM@UD), a student group aimed at fostering leadership among LGBT students in the STEM fields, the LGBTQ Caucus, Haven and the LGBT Program Office.

Matthew Scott, a junior mathematics major and president of oSTEM, welcomed the more than 200 attendees who turned out to show support for the victims and survivors of the Orlando tragedy and their families and friends.

“I know that this is a difficult time for everyone, and I want to let you know that the UD Center for Counseling and Student Development is open to the UD community if you need help,” Scott said. “All of us are here to support one another as members of the LGBT community and the LGBTQ Ally Program.”

Living with the memory of the worst mass shooting in American history presents all kinds of difficulties and produces all kinds of emotions, said Rebekah Harless-Balmer, LGBT program coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students.

“They were members of the queer community, and we need to remember them. They will be missed,” Harless-Balmer said. “We see the faces of ourselves among the faces of the dead. We know that change does not happen overnight, and we hope that something like this will not happen again. We are a loving and supportive community.”

Harless-Balmer also noted that students who need support or just want to someone to listen to their concerns are welcome to contact her by phone, email or in person at the LGBT Program office.

Karla Bell, assistant professor of physical therapy and co-chair of the LGBT Caucus at UD, said, “Processing what happened in Orlando has been really difficult, but this event is a way to look back and bring our community together so we can all grieve together.”

Bell also read a letter for Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, who was unable to attend but wished to convey his support for members of the LGBT community.

Markell wrote, “I share your shock and horror at Sunday’s events in Orlando – and I share your grief. The University of Delaware has been a leader in providing a safe haven for the LGBT community and in fighting homophobia and prejudice. It's no surprise that UD's LGBT organization is called Haven. Tonight we gather to mourn the victims of the terrible attack in Orlando, to hope for the safe recovery of the injured and to stand by their loved ones were lost or injured. We have fought together to secure freedom and dignity for the LGBT community, and today we are reminded that the fight continues. I stand with you as a mourner and as an ally who will continue to work for the safety and security that each one of us deserves.”

Bell also noted that UD President Dennis Assanis sent his regards, saying that he regretted not being able to attend and that he was holding all the members of the LGBT community in his thoughts.

Provost Domenico Grasso reaffirmed that the entire UD community stands with the people of Orlando.

“This is a time to remember all of those who will never see another sunrise or sunset,” Grasso said. “Their families and friends, brothers, sisters and parents will never meet with them again.”

Grasso noted that the vigil also is a time to affirm a common commitment to the highest principles of humanity and to be a thoughtful, caring and nurturing community that is committed to both the individual and the collective.

“We live in one of the greatest nations on this planet, but we cannot abide a half-privileged, half disadvantaged, half-protected, half-vulnerable, half-hopeful and half despairing people,” Grasso said. “Everyone – black, white, brown, gay, straight, Muslim, Catholic, Jew and atheist – must be equally valued and have equal opportunity, safety, protection and hope. We, the community that comprises our University of Delaware, above all else, hold this to be true and are committed to this.”

Carol Henderson, associate vice provost for diversity, said that silence sometimes speaks the unspeakable when tragedies like Orlando happen.

“I know that our human fabric has been forever altered, because there are 50 lives gone,” Henderson said. “I also know that there is no place for hate.”

Henderson said that to honor those who were murdered, people must respect themselves and take the gifts and talents they possess and use them to mend what is broken.

“Hope, truth, light and love must be the guiding principles that will allow us to reach across our differences, so that we understand that in each of us lies the truth of humanity, and that we are all a part of that human chain that will move us beyond this gulf,” Henderson said. “I pray that we will, and that in the fall we will think of ways to show love and appreciation to each other. I hope that we understand that we must look out for each other.”

Henderson also reminded the attendees that many places on campus, including the Office of the Provost, are available to provide support or listen to individual concerns.

During the vigil, individuals were invited to express their grief, remembrance and hope. Many noted the murders in Orlando are especially troubling because the gay club at which the shooting occurred represented a safe place to avoid the ever-present threat of violence that is part of queer life in America and around the world.

Bell said that Pulse is more than a gay bar but rather a sacred spot for congregating away from the isolation many in the queer community feel on the outside.

“Pulse was a place where the community would be safe,” Bell said. “This is Pride Month, and it is our event, and it will not be taken from us. Pulse – we mourn our brothers and sisters who were there, and we need to be out and proud more than ever.”

Those speaking also pointed out that Pulse was more than a gay club, but also a fundraiser for the Orlando community, giving back in many ways, including scholarships for students. They also urged those standing with them to do the same in their LGBT communities.

Among the presentations were reflections of personal experiences, poetry and messages from individuals unable to attend the vigil. A buffalo drum was beat 50 times, and two speakers led the community in singing a pair of verses from the song “Amazing Grace.”

Following remarks by community members, volunteers read the names of all those killed in Orlando. A moment of silence concluded the vigil.