Weekend Read: Orlando Massacre Touches Lives, Hearts Close to Home

Vincent Cinque, 24, who lives in Brooklyn but hails from Westhampton, said when the shots rang out in Orlando, Florida early last Sunday morning, shattering lives in the worst gun massacre in United States history, he was celebrating an important milestone in his life.

“At 2 a.m., I was celebrating Pride for the first time in my life — ironically, the first time I've ever felt safe enough in my own skin to do so,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “At 2 a.m., I made friends and we danced the night away. At 2 a.m., I shared drinks and laughs with good friends. At 2 a.m., someone flew across the ceiling with a giant rainbow flag and the crowded room cheered. Not everyone was so lucky to have a night like I did. At 2 a.m. at least 49 people died while celebrating love. . . To those who lost their lives last night and throughout history in the fight for equal love, you will not be in vain. You are loved. Spread love today. Spread nothing but love today and every day. To anyone and everyone reading this, you are loved.”

Sunday’s deadly attack coincided with Gay Pride month, with celebrations planned nationwide.

In the face of the worst gun massacre in history, many have reacted in the same way as Cinque, choosing love over hatred, hope over evil.

The world was rocked Sunday by news of the shooting at the Pulse Orlando Night Club & Ultra Lounge, which left at least 49 dead and 53 injured.

The shooting took place at the popular gay bar while about 350 people were dancing and drinking.

The suspect, Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, was killed by law enforcement in an exchange of gunfire, according to Orlando Police Chief John Mina.

And in the aftermath, residents in quiet, bucolic communities across Long Island have struggled to make sense of the inexplicable, organizing vigils and coming together in peace to fight the hatred.

A vigil in Bridgehampton held Sunday night was organized, teacher Tom House said, to "help us peacefully mourn the tragic loss of lives and show our solidarity with the Orlando, LGBTQ and Latino communities."

Of the gathering, he said, "I was so grateful to be among friends and kindred spirits to communally express our shock and grief at the horror in Orlando.”

House organized another vigil Tuesday for students. "I wanted them to have the opportunity to participate in a vigil, to have an example of their home community coming together to express grief over a national, even global tragedy in a peaceful, caring — but it's for myself, too," he said. "I need to do something, face down terror and hate in whatever small ways I can with its opposites: decency, empathy, solidarity. Find my spot of goodness and connect it with others'.”

Of the vigils, he said, "You have to stand up to terrorists with solidarity, decency and human goodness. And it's helpful to be around other people to communally express your grief."

A sense of security shattered

Kathryn Szoka, owner of Canio's bookstore in Sag Harbor, said Sunday night's vigil "all came together. It was a nice group of people that showed up. We got a really positive response from cars driving by, which felt good. We just wanted to be in solidarity with the LGBTQ community down in Orlando."

Particularly painful was the fact that the tragedy unfolded at a gay nightclub, Szoka said. "When people go someplace where they really feel they might be comfortable and not subject to abuse, to have this happen is even more tragic than you can possibly imagine."

As the world struggles to make sense of the pain, vigils are meaningful, Szoka said. "It's nice to be a community, to be with people, share your sorrow and also, stand in solidarity and try to figure out a different way, instead of rage and anger — to find some kind of healing."

On Fire Island, safety concerns
For years, Cherry Grove on Fire Island has been a haven, a place where the gay community can feel safe and secure. That serenity was shattered Sunday morning, said Diane Romano, president of the Cherry Grove Community Association. Security concerns escalated after the shootings.

“People are concerned,” she said. “We’ve asked for and received additional police presence. Police and legislators have been extremely cooperative and understanding. Our concern is that one lunatic gives another one an idea. It’s frightening.”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk Police Commissioner Timothy Sini held a press conference with LGBT Network CEO David Kilmnick this week to discuss intensified police patrols and additional security measures in LGBT centers, Pride festivals, clubs and cafes.

Suffolk County, officials said, has one of the largest LGBT populations in the nation, including Fire Island and the Hamptons.

Nassau County officials also announced Monday that local police have begun intensifying patrols in local communities in light of the tragic terror attack that took place in Orlando.

Officers from the NCPD’s Bureau of Special Operation and Criminal Intelligence Response Team have been assigned to patrol local malls, areas of large gatherings and critical infrastructure.

According to Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter, local police have been "trained extensively" to protect residents.

Recently, new ballistic helmets and vests for their patrol cars have been issued to local officers. In addition, Nassau Police have added new "anti-terror" assets including The Rook, a machine for hostage rescue and barricaded suspects, and the Med Cat, a multi-purpose vehicle with rapid medical intervention capabilities.
The Nassau County Police Department’s Intelligence Unit and the Joint Terrorism Task Force have also been working to provide officers with counter-terrorism bulletins.

“First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families of this weekend’s terror attack,” Mangano said. “While there is no specific threat to Nassau County, we must all remain vigilant in the fight against terror as everyone can help be the eyes and ears for law enforcement. If you see something, say something and dial 911.”

Romano said despite heightened concerns, a Gay Pride event planned for Cherry Grove on Fire Island Saturday will go on as planned — and she thanked law enforcement, who took action immediately.

“To see that profound increase in police presence” on Fire Island, she said, “that’s the good news.”

Saturday’s Pride event will include a parade, with bars and restaurants packed, and a fireworks display planned.

To see such tragedy unfold one year after celebrations nationwide marked the Supreme Court’s ruling that states cannot ban gay marriage, Romano said, is frightening.

“Things are moving in the wrong direction in our country, and quite frankly, one would say that’s the truth when someone like Donald Trump can get as far as he’s gotten," she said. "We need to defeat him in a very big way and elect Hillary Clinton to become the first woman president, the president we need. She’s qualified to do the job.”

Thom Hansen, president of the Arts Project of Cherry Grove, echoed very real fears for safety.

“I think we’re all concerned for safety. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident, one lone person who’s very troubled, with his own sexual identity issues," he said. "That’s all we can hope and pray.”

Saturday’s Pride event, as well as an upcoming “Invasion of the Pines” event scheduled for July 4, have become raised security concerns across Fire Island, he said. “Hopefully, this is a lone shark. I pray that we will all be safe.”

Personally, Hansen’s own sense of security has been rocked. “It’s devastating,” he said. “It could have been any one of us. If I had been in Orlando I probably would have been out at that club myself. It’s terrifying.”

As someone a bit older, Hansen remembers the climate of fear rampant in the early '70s. “We didn’t have the freedom then that we have now," he explained. "A part of us always remains cautious and fearful for our safety because of the bigotry out there. I don’t think that ever leaves us.”

Even after the strides that have been made, terror lies dormant, he said. “There’s still a piece of me that goes back to our roots, that tells me to be careful, because of that awful bigotry that was so much out there in the '60s and '70s. It’s hard to shake that, and this just heightens those old feelings instilled in us.”

Faith leaders coming together

At a vigil in Aquebogue this week at the Old Steeple Community Church, a group gathered to mourn.

The Rev. Arlen Vernava was joined by Pastor Sean Murray of the First Congregational Church of Riverhead and the Rev. Dr. Enrique Lebron of the Riverhead United Methodist Church at the prayer service and vigil, which took place outside the church on Main Road.

Participants spoke in the prayer circle about the need to love all people, whether gay, straight, bisexual, black, white or Latino, as well as the need for gun control.

Guy Fine remembered his grandfather, who lived through Kristallnacht during the Holocaust. His grandfather was "beaten" and a prisoner, but he was released. He died soon after. Every act of hatred and violence in the world, Fine said, brings those emotions flooding back.

A musician, Fine said he finds hope of peace and understanding in the arts. "My heart lies where I can find a good chord," he said. And then he offered a prayer in Hebrew, which meant, "The Lord Our God is one."

Vernava asked those present for their intentions. Janet Wright said whether someone is gay, Latino or Muslim, "They are all children of God." Another woman said she'd do her part to prevent "bashing" of gays, Latinos, Muslims and women in society.

Another woman said her daughter, mayor of Santa Barbara Helene Schneider, is looking toward legislation regarding ownership of assault weapons. "Some places are taking action," she said.

Lebron said he'd keep praying and spotlighting immigration issues.

Others said they'd pray for leadership and for elected officials to guide the nation and for young people in schools everywhere.

Asked what words they'd ask for moving forward, the responses were heartfelt and true: Peace on earth. Reconciliation and healing. Tolerance. Wisdom. Love, not hate.

"Guide me, dear God," one woman said.

Another added, "Help us do a little better than we are doing."

"God, keep giving me the eyes to see you in everyone I meet," Lebron said.

After the service, Vernava said the gathering came together because people needed a place to join together in sorrow, to grieve, and to just talk, together, about the unspeakable. "We need to remind one another that God's love, friendship and graciousness matter more than anything else," he said.

A four-sided poster at the church has words written in English, Spanish, Polish and Norwegian, echoing the sentiment reflected not only Wednesday night but also at vigils across a nation blanketed by grief after the tragedy: "May peace prevail."

Standing strong in solidarity

Szoka said after Orlando, anyone planning an event has an “edgy” feeling. “There’s always the threat of copycats. And New York is always a target.”

But the vigils planned are critical to healing, she said. “The best way to counteract this type of event is to show up in solidarity and in large numbers. That’s what we do as a community, to ensure that the last word is not one of violence, but one of love.”

Those who are a bit older, she said, remember the agony of the AIDS epidemic. “That showed us that there is a way to come through a tragedy with more resolve and with greater strength than before.”

Although the mass killings and the AIDS epidemic are not to be compared to Orlando, said Szoka. “I think this is a wake-up call to the community that, while we have made some progress, we should be aware that there is a lot of prejudice out there and continually a process of education, and being mindful.”

While the AIDS epidemic was a dark time, that period in history opened the door for enormous strides to be made in the gay community over the past 20 years, Szoka said. “Out of tragedy, good things can come. It’s incumbent upon us to be sure good things come out of this, so those lives were not lost for no reason. Our hearts and prayers are with those people and their families.”

On the North Fork, Marj Snyder, vice president of the Women for Women Fund in Orient, said the community is reeling.

“I think we’re all in shock," Snyder said. "I don’t think anyone had any expectation that this kind of thing was even possible, particularly when you are in a place where you think everyone is accepting of what your lifestyle is and your choices are.”

While many in the North Fork’s gay community might not go to bars now or do a lot of partying, Snyder said, “We did, and it was always a time of complete and total joy, because it was such a safe place. Now, we have sadness and a sense of danger, because we have this fear that what we once thought was a safe place is a place where you might get shot.”

Despite the very real threats, Snyder said the hope is to band together and to show support. “We want to join with others people in the community and let them know that not only are we here, we’re good citizens, we participate in things.”

Members of the group plan to attend Monday’s vigil in Southold at 6:30 p.m. at Youngs Avenue and Route 25, across from the IGA at Silversmith’s Corner.

Snyder said she personally does not feel her safety is threatened and plans for an upcoming Celebrate Pride 2016 event will proceed as planned.

Orlando’s act of terror, Snyder said, “makes you think a little more about being more vigilant. Everyone, whether gay or not. This motivates people to do something to prevent something like this from happening again — and to help those affected.”

The victims, she said, all have families who need help and support now.

But aside from efforts to help, Snyder said she refuses to change her way of life and succumb to terror threats.

“This is not going to stop me from doing anything,” she said.