The fashion community both in the U.S. and abroad continued to express its sympathy Monday over the shooting at an Orlando gay club on Sunday that left 50 people dead and at least 53 wounded.
Stella McCartney:
We have to stick a finger up to hate and live in the loving. Pray for Orlando and pray for peace people! X Stella pic.twitter.com/qrXLtENVg8
— Stella McCartney (@StellaMcCartney) June 13, 2016
Marc Jacobs:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all in Orlando 🌈 #LoveisLove pic.twitter.com/NxUFUcudIW
— Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) June 13, 2016
Michael Kors:
Sending love and prayers to #Orlando and all of the friends and families affected by today's tragedy. pic.twitter.com/0OGmnRRibV
— Michael Kors (@MichaelKors) June 13, 2016
Kenneth Cole:
Stand for #acceptance & #solidarity. Be an accessory in support of all affected by #Orlando. #LoveIsLove #GunReform pic.twitter.com/iOGgwb8H20
— Kenneth Cole (@kennethcolereal) June 13, 2016
Vera Wang:
We're heartbroken over the tragedy in Orlando. Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones & the LGBTQ community. We stand with you.
— Vera Wang (@VeraWang) June 12, 2016
Prabal Gurung:
Hate & intolerance took its full force in Orlando.Heartbreaking.Prayers are with the victims’ families & all those affected by the shooting.
— Prabal Gurung (@prabalgurung) June 12, 2016
Christian Siriano:
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Devastated by the news from Orlando. What is it going to take to get people to realize we need to change something?
— Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) June 12, 2016
Many other designers also showed their support on social media sharing the rainbow colors, including Brian Atwood; Donna Karan; Francesco Scognamiglio; Nicole Miller; Coach’s Stuart Vevers; Jason Wu; Tory Burch, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Sunday’s shooting was at Pulse Orlando, located at 1912 South Orange Ave. The nightclub was opened in 2004 by Barbara Poma and her friend Ron Legler to promote awareness of the area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Poma’s brother died from AIDS.
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The gunman, who was shot and killed by Orlando police after a three-hour standoff, has been identified as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen. His family is from Afghanistan. It is now known that he was interviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013 and 2014, but was not found to be a threat.
Mateen carried an assault rifle into the club and killed 50 people and wounded at least 53. Police Sunday night began indentifying some of the victims.
President Obama described the tragedy as “an act of terror” in his address Sunday afternoon. He also said, “This could have been any one of our cities.”
The shooting is the worse mass shooting in U.S. history. Prior to Sunday’s tragedy, the shooting with the highest death toll in the U.S. was at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The shooting now has law enforcement across the nation on high alert.
The New York Police Department said it is “closely monitoring” the developments, and said it is in contact with the local law enforcement authorities in Florida, as well as the FBI. It has placed certain of its resources, such as its emergency services unit, on alert and plans increased police presence at LGBT institutions and venues, both in Manhattan and it the outer boroughs.
In Los Angeles, police were also on high alert at the L.A. Pride parade in West Hollywood Sunday, although it didn’t change its tactical planning since additional security had already been planned for the event.
Sunday’s social media feeds included Lady Gaga, who tweeted: “I pray for all the victims’ families during this shooting epidemic. That their pain be met with compassion and support from the world.” And Madonna tweeted: “You CANNOT use the name of God, or religion, to justify acts of violence, to hurt, to hate, to discriminate.
Ricky Martin, who in 2014 collaborated with A Different Fur for an exclusive collection of men’s apparel and accessories, tweeted, “I am gay and I am not afraid. Love conquers all.”