Monday, June 13, 2016

Gay Men"s Chorus Pays Beautiful Tribute to Orlando Shooting Victims

Words sometimes fail, but the power of music sends a powerful message of love and hope.


This was the case on June 13th, one day after the largest mass shooting in U.S. history left 50 dead, including the gunman responsible, Omar Mateen.


The tragedy took place after 2am E.T. at Pulse, an Orlando, FL gay nightclub that was celebrating "Latin Night."  Mateen opened fire with an assault rifle inside the venue, causing mass pandemonium as patrons scrambled for the nearest exit.


As stories of heroism and bravery emerge, the New York Gay Men"s Choir took center stage in Times Square this morning to perform "Light," from the Broadway play, Next To Normal.


The spectacularly moving tribute was featured on Good Morning America as the show"s reporters delivered the broadcast from the scene in Orlando.


Some of the lyrics from the song include:


“When we open up our light/Sons and daughters, husbands, wives/Can fight that fight.”


"Day after day/We’ll find the will to find our way/Knowing that the darkest skies will someday see the sun.”


"And when they night has fin"ly gone, And when we see the new day dawn, We"ll wonder how we wandered for so long, so blind.


"The wasted world we thought we knew— The light will make it look brand new."


As the men sang, images of people memorializing the tragedy appeared on screen.  


Gay, straight, up, down, left, right – none of it matters when faced with the loss of a friend or family member.  


So, this morning, we were all looking for some light.


Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer put it best: "We will not be defined by the act of a cowardly hater," he said in a press conference.


"We will be defined by how we respond."


Watch the beautiful performance below, and keep the victims of the Orlando shooting in your thoughts and prayers.


Gay mens chorus sings light in tribute to orlando shooting victi