Members of Western New York's LGBT community are taking part in a special show of support for the people of Orlando, Florida. A gunman there killed 49 people and injured 50 others inside a gay nightclub on June 12.
Ten days after the mass shooting inside Pulse Nightclub, Michael Rizzo, the publisher of Loop Magazine in Buffalo, says the tragedy is still difficult to come to terms with.
"This could have happened here. This could have been Club Marcella. This could have been Underground Nightclub. This could have been 49 people that I know, And that's just such a scary thought. That's what makes it hurt so much," Rizzo said. "Just imagine how much more painful it must be when you live in Orlando and it is your friends and it is the people that you know."
In response, open photo shoots have been held over the past several days for a special edition of Loop Magazine for delivery in Orlando's LGBT community. Rizzo says the magazine will feature hundreds of photos of area residents posed in solidarity with Orlando.
"I think the community here, hopefully, will feel very well represented and their sentiments were shared appropriately. And then I really hope that the people of Orlando just kind of look at it as a big paper hug from another LGBT community that is grieving along with them," Rizzo said.
More than 20 community members will also be expressing their condolences in writing. The issue will be distributed in Orlando and Buffalo starting July 1.
Anyone is welcome to share their sentiments on social media using the hashtag #OnePulseBuffalo.