LIMA — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Regional Director Michael Ley told about 50 people in attendance that it was important not to lose focus on the real problem.
Ley spoke during a candlelight vigil held Sunday at the Shawnee United Methodist Church in memory of the 49 people killed in the June 12 Orlando, Florida, shooting.
“We can’t allow anti-Muslim rhetoric to detract from the main point,” Ley said. “This is a hate crime. This is simply an example of what LGBTQ people face every day.
Each person attending took a turn to light a candle as pictures of those killed in the tragedy were scrolled on a screen. The names of each victim were read during the service.
PFLAG Lima chapter President Kim Butler offered condolences to the families and friends.
“We offer condolences to all of those beautiful faces up there,” Butler said.
Butler said she was both surprised and encouraged by all the outreach from area clergy.
“I was very impressed this week with all of the clergy reaching out for support,” Butler said.
While Butler said she was unaware of anyone locally associated with any of the 49 who lost their lives in the shooting, they still felt something had to be done.
“This was specifically a hate crime where people were targeted because of their gender or identity,” Butler said. “We are shocked by the loss. We hoped to do something in the area for the friends and families.”
Shawnee UMC Pastor Bryan Bucher agreed that it was a hate crime.
“There were components of radical Islam involved with the individual that did this,” Bucher said. “However, he chose a specific group of people. In my opinion, this was a hate crime.”
Bucher said it was important to lean heavily on the words of Jesus to “love God” and to “love your neighbor.”
“We have many members or friends of the congregation that are LGBTQ,” Bucher said. “It seemed only appropriate to open the doors of the church and let them encounter the healing power of God.”
Ley said that a disproportionately large number of those killed were gay Latinos. He said he concurred with President Barack Obama’s announcement that it was an attack against equality.
“It is crucial right now for us to keep lifting our voices for equality,” Ley said. “It is important to be visible right now. We need people to understand what this act has done to the LGBTQ community.”
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