A rainbow flag has been draped in black at CAMP (Create A More Positive Impact) Rehoboth in mourning for the 49 people killed in the deadliest attack on US soil early Sunday morning at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
Steve Elkins, Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth says he is deeply saddened by the reminder that - although the LGBTQ community has made many strides in recent years, including the Supreme Court ruling to legalize gay marriage last year - there are still who pose a threat to these rights.
"When you think everything is fine you sort of step back and sit down to relax and then racism or homophobia or Islamophobia or sexism – they rear their ugly heads and we realize, you can never completely put down your guard," he said.
CAMP Rehoboth held a vigil Sunday night to start the healing process and was grateful for the outpouring of community support it received.
Elkins said they started planning the vigil at 3 p.m., and by 7 p.m. over 200 people from many different walks of life were in attendance.
However, Elkins says that while its important to remember those who have been lost in the attack, it’s also time to act on what he calls an attack on freedom. He is rallying for changes in gun legislation, specifically challenging the right to bear assault rifles.
“This was an attack on freedom and it was an attack on the ability of people of like mind to congregate whether you’re at a gay bar, at a mosque or a bar mitzvah and not think you’re going to be attacked because people know you’re gathered in one space," Elkins said.
He says gay bars have historically been gathering places for LGBTQ community members to feel safe and part of a cohesive group in which they feel a sense of belonging.
However, he says the LGBTQ community won’t give into fear because of the attack but will instead move to act to create change.
Elkins says that even hunters like his nephew say that assault rifles are overkill and not necessary.
A radicalized 29-year-old Muslim man has been confirmed responsible for the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil Sunday.
He was flagged by the FBI as early as 2013 by complaints from co-workers about extremist comments and terrorism threats.
While ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, officials warn that they often claim responsibility for “lone wolf” attacks.
