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Orlando Pulse Nightclub Shooting Sees LGBT Communities Pay Tribute Around The World

"We refuse to live in fear"

LGBT communities around the world have been holding vigils in response to the biggest gun massacre in US history, which occurred inside an Orlando gay nightclub.

From London to Tel Aviv, the LGBT community has responded with poignant resilience.

Candlelit vigils have been held and landmarks have been lit up with the colours of the pride rainbow flag.

Honours began in Florida and continued at LA Pride, where thousands turned out to show their support.

Sunday's attack targeted the Pulse bar in the sunshine state, where a lone gunman killed 50 people.

Orlando:

Emotional scenes were captured on video footage in the state of the attack, as the Orlando Gay Chorus sang a poignant rendition of 'True Colours' at a vigil.

UK:

A small gathering was held in Trafalgar Square, London on Sunday evening.

Tributes will continue across the UK on Monday:

While on Monday evening, the streets of Soho will come to a standstill as bars close to pay their respects to the victims.

Los Angeles:

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office announced it was taking extra precautions at the LA Pride Parade and Festival, with "hundreds of uniformed deputies" on duty.

Despite heavy police presence thousands turned out in defiance against the Pulse nightclub attacks.

Israel:

Tel Aviv's city hall was lit up with the US flag and rainbow flag on Sunday evening.

New York:

The Empire State building and World Trade Center were lit up in a rainbow formation, while mourners gathered outside the Stonewall Inn on Sunday evening.

Canada:

40,000 people. A moment of silence.

A photo posted by Matt Dusenbury (@mattdusenbury) on

Sydney:

The Internet:

Hundreds of thousands also paid their respects on Twitter, with hashtags #LoveISLove and #GaysBreakTheInternet surfacing in the aftermath.

Both trends focused on solidarity within the LGBT community - one person wrote "I won't live in fear".

Until the Pulse massacre, the most notorious act of violence against a gay bar was the burning of the UpStairs Lounge, a New Orleans gay bar, in 1973.

An arsonist set fire to the bar, killing 32 people in less than 20 minutes.

The perpetrator of the Pulse attacks was identified as Omar Mateen of Port St Lucie, Florida.

He was killed by officers following a three-hour stand off with police.

A total of 53 people were hospitalised following the attack. A surgeon at Orlando Regional Medical Center said the death toll was likely to climb.

FLORIDA-SHOOTING/

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