In light of what has been deemed the worst mass shooting in United States history, members of the LSU and Baton Rouge community held a vigil service in the Live Oak Lounge of the Student Union to remember 50 people killed at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12.
Organized by a group of LSU students and representatives from Equality Louisiana, the vigil functioned as a “safe space” for individuals, LGBT or otherwise, to share their thoughts, opinions and experiences concerning the Pulse Nightclub shooting, a popular LGBT bar in Orlando.
Peter Jenkins, who helped coordinate the event and identifies as non-binary, said that after such a large attack against LGBT people, the first step in rectifying the situation is to understand that a comprehensive solution involves many different areas of work.
“The first step is that we all need to admit that these issues are intersectional. It wasn’t just 50 people that were killed, it was 50 queer people,” they said, noting many were queer people of color. “What works to stop violence against one group of people isn’t necessarily going to work to stop violence against another group.”
Topics ranged from the shooting itself to gender identity in schools to comprehensive gun reform. Jenkins said during the vigil an LGBT person’s right to live is “more important than someone’s right to own an AK-47.”
Although the vigil focused mainly on the shooting, participants shared their experiences with violence and homophobia. One attendant pointed out that little acts like using someone’s preferred pronouns, correcting homophobic language and standing up for a group’s rights can go a long way in rectifying a situation.
Karie Holton, a graduate student and the LGBT coordinator in the University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, admitted that after initially hearing about the shooting, she was desensitized to the violence and continued her day as normal. She said this attitude is a reflection of just how much gun violence has impacted the minds of American citizens.
Through working in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Holton said she is impressed with LSU’s anti-discrimination policies, but said more can be done to protect students. She said the most impactful thing LSU students can do to make an impact is voting and making their voices heard.
“The biggest thing that students on this campus can do is to vote for progressive lawmakers that will work with us and listen to us,” she said.
