Thousands of Torontonians gathered for a vigil in Barbara Hall Park Sunday night to hear Premier Kathleen Wynne, Mayor John Tory, and others speak in remembrance of the 50 people killed inside a gay nightclub in Orlando.
"There are almost no words that we have to say to each other," said Wynne, the first gay premier in Ontario's history. "The most important thing is for us to be together."
Premier Kathleen Wynne is now speaking.
She said that homophobia, transphobia, and racism continue to exist in Toronto, just as they do in Orlando and elsewhere.
"What we know is that homophobia cannot be fought with Islamophobia," she said.
"This kind of hate-filled act has no place in the world," said Mayor Tory. "This represents no faith."
This is pride. Toronto stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community around the world #LoveIsLove
"Pride is going to be hopeful, it's going to be celebratory, but Pride is also going to be a reminder of how much more we have to do," he said, speaking of this year's Pride celebrations in Toronto, which are already underway.
Alica Hall, the co-chair of Pride Toronto, said, "The Pride movement was borne out of resistance and we will continue to resist."
She then read out the names of the Orlando victims.
As darkness began to fall, the crowd lit candles and observed a moment of silence for those killed in Orlando.
"May the future we leave behind ensure that love wins," said Brent Hawkes, a pastor for the Metropolitan Community Church, after the moment of silence concluded.
As the crowd trickles out of Barbara Hall Park, a small memorial to the victims has been erected.