In Illinois, LGBT activists are speaking out in the wake of Saturday night's massacre in Orlando, in which a man shot and killed 49 people at a gay night-club. Equality Illinois was quick to react to the shooting - saying on its website: "We should all feel safe in our homes, schools and places of business and entertainment."
The gay-rights organization was careful to avoid discussing the motive of the shooter, though it now appears he specifically targeted the club because of its clientele. In Springfield, a vigil was held Sunday night to honor the dead. Buff Carmichael was in attendance. He's a longtime activist and the founder of The Prairie Flame, a newspaper for the downstate LGBT community, which existed from 1996 to 2008.
"These things, as sad and tragic as they are, I think they tend to bring us together and make us stronger people."
Similar vigils took place on Sunday in Chicago.
