Amsterdam LGBT community honors Orlando shooting victims

A vigil will be held at the Homo-monument near the Westerkerk in Amsterdam on Monday evening to honor the victims and show support for the survivors of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, United States over the weekend. At least 50 people were killed and 53 others injured.

The vigil is organized by LGBT clubs NYX and Exit Cafe, as well as the monument. It will start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 10:00 p.m. Those interested in joining are asked to bring a candle along.

"In a gruesome act of terror, our worldwide community lost many beautiful souls. Innocent human beings, under the impression that they were in a safe environment, were targeted for their sexuality. In an act of unimaginable violence, they lost their lives imply because they sought the freedom t love who they wanted to love", the event description on Facebook reads. "Let us show the world that love will always be bigger than hate."

So far 400 people indicated that they will be attending.

Tanja Ineke, president of LGBT association COC Nederland, is shocked by the attack. "All those people who lost their partner, friends or family forever. Murdered, and probably only because they were LGBT. Horrible", she said to Het Parool.

The Amsterdam municipality hung the rainbow flag on the Stopera, Amsterdam's city hall, on Monday to show solidarity with everyone in Orlando.