Outside Burkharts Pub Sunday evening, the disco ball glinted in the sun and the rainbow flag was hoisted over the crowd.
“Let’s just take a moment of silence for those we’ve lost,” said GlitterAnn B Gay, abbess of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. “May our cause gain momentum to change what has to be changed.”
At one of many vigils across Atlanta to mourn the victims of the largest mass shooting in America, at an Orlando gay club over the weekend, hundreds gathered in the parking lot of Burkharts to find comfort and to mourn. GlitterAnn B Gay, who is also known as Rich Spillane, said the gathering brought to mind the fact that there is still a need for change.
“We will be making our voices known,” Spillane said. “We must remember those who are missing. We could have been any of them.”
Debra Randels grew up in Orlando, and said she was watching friends who were still trying to find people. She came to Burkharts, she said, because it was important for people to stand together. Still, she said, it’s scary to think that any place could be a target.
“You can’t be fearful,” she said. “You have to stand with your brothers and sisters.”
Rory Evans came to the vigil as a way to process his feelings about the shooting. He said he didn’t want to stay home when he was hurting, and others were as well.
“I don’t know how to process all this,” he said. “That’s why I came here. I needed these people today.”
The vigil, which attracted more than 100 people, was organized by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Armorettes. It brought out people like Paul Asher and Caleb Hutton, who came from Marietta.
Asher said he had been feeling raw all day, and wanted to be near his community. Hutton said it had been heartwarming to see the outpouring of support.
Omar Godwin, who lives in Midtown, said he didn’t learn to love himself until he snuck into his first gay bar, at 18. For that reason, it was important to show support.
“To me, they are my family, and this is what family does,” he said. “They support and hold and love each other.”
From Burkharts, people were continuing to Ten at 10th and Piedmont, where a sunset vigil is planned Sunday night.
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