LGBT Center to hold candlelight vigil for Colorado Springs shooting victims

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading is holding a candlelight vigil to honor and remember the victims of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs this past weekend. A gunman killed five people and injured 25 others.

“The LGBT community continues to be a target of bigotry, discrimination, hatred, and violence. We recognize that Saturday night’s horror was not an isolated incident, but an alarming pattern of growing anti-LGBTQ violence and rhetoric. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity remain a frequent nightmare,” said Michelle Dech, Executive Director of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading.

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Dech also stressed the importance of bi-partisan legislation to boldly address violent hate crimes that have plagued the LGBT Community for years.

“While we had made some small advances, thoughts, and prayers are no longer enough,” she added. “We need to turn anger into action. We should not have to create safe spaces for the LGBT community. All spaces should be safe spaces.”

The vigil begins at 5:45pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Participants will meet in the LGBT Center parking lot, located at Calvary UCC 640 Centre St., Reading, PA.

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The vigil will include a short walk around Centre Park, followed by addresses from community speakers, partners, and legislators at the Center.

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Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly is an independent and locally owned digital newspaper covering the City of Reading and Berks County. Subscribe today: berksweekly.com/subscribe
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