Lady Gaga [1] gave a heartfelt speech outside LA's City Hall on Monday, where hundreds of people gathered for a vigil dedicated to the victims killed in the Orlando, FL, nightclub shooting [2] on Sunday morning. "I know that you all have been feeling a tremendous range of emotions since we all heard about this horrible, hateful attack on Orlando and on your and our community," she said as people held up signs spelling "Orlando" behind her. "As we have now witnessed the largest mass shooting in American history, I can't help but feel that this level of hatred, like all prejudicial crimes, this is an attack on humanity itself. This is an attack on everyone. Tonight, I gather humbly with you as a human being in peace, in sincerity, in commitment, in solidarity, to take a real moment and mourn the tragic loss of these innocent, beautiful people."
Before reading the names of some of the victims, the singer, who is a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, gave some encouraging words to the crowd. "Not only me, but everyone here, we represent the compassion and the loyalty of millions of people around the world who believe in you," she continued. "You are not alone." Gaga also took to social media to show her support with a photo of herself at the vigil, writing, "We can always count on one another's pain to remind us what strength is all about. #UnitedAsHumans #UnitedAsFriends." Watch her powerful speech above.
Ignore voices that aim to divide us, this only leads to more violence between people. We must unite as humans, where we are all the same. 🌏
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) June 14, 2016 [3]
We can always count on one another's pain to remind us what strength is all about. #UnitedAsHumans #UnitedAsFriends [4]
I saw the fear and sadness in the faces of so many, but I felt comfort knowing there are millions all over the world who are not only part of the LGBT community, but are part of the straight community and so impassioned by this tragedy. You are not alone. [5]
#Orlando #UnitedAsHumans #UnitedAsFriends [6]