Orlando massacre: vigil in Derry this evening

Ray Rivera, a DJ at Pulse Orlando nightclub, is consoled by a friend, outside of the Orlando Police Department after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the nightclub, Sunday, June 12, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Foyle Pride will be hosting the candle-lit vigil at 6pm in the Peace Garden next to the Guildhall.

A spokesperson for Foyle Pride said the event is being held “in solidarity with the victims of the shooting in Orlando and also all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people throughout the world who face violence, oppression and discrimination”.

“We must come together as a community to mourn this tragedy and to send love to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and we must resist any attempt to exploit these deaths to push Islamaphobia and racism,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile the Rainbow Project in Derry has launched a book of Condolence at their local office for those who wish to register their sympathy for the victims and send a message of support to the people of Orlando.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Rainbow Project said: “Our deepest condolences are with the friends and family of the victims of this terrible atrocity.

“An attack like this is devastating at any time, but for it to occur during US Pride Month is a stark reminder of the need to tackle prejudice and hatred against the LGBT community.”

A State of Emergency has been declared after the death toll was confirmed.

As well as the 50 who lost their lives at Pulse Nightclub, another 53 were wounded in what was the worst shooting atrocity in US history.