The tragic mass shooting in Orlando has been called an act of domestic terrorism, but members of the LGBTQ community are also emphasizing that it was a hate crime. It's put the entire community on edge, including in Northeast Wisconsin.
Waking up to the news of the tragedy was a shock for Jerimiah Buege of Neenah.
"It was almost like a rock being pressed against your chest," he said. "It's heartbreaking."
As a member of the LGBTQ community, it hit close to home.
"They are safe spaces," he said of gay clubs and bars. "To see this happen at a bar catering towards the LGBTQ community, it does send shivers up your spine that this could happen anywhere."
Although Buege says he's never experienced physical violence because of sexual orientation, he has dealt with other harassment. Now, he and many others are reminded that the fear they face daily isn't unfounded.
"If I'm walking down the street, holding somebody's hand that I love or that I'm married to, that fear is always going to be there," he explained.
Buege is one of hundreds planning to attend a vigil Tuesday night at Rascals in Appleton, to support the LGBTQ community and remember the victims in Orlando. He has one piece of advice for anyone with friends or family in the community:
"Tell them that they matter, tell them that you love them," he said.
The owner of Rascals told NBC26 that he has already seen an outpouring of support from the community in response to the planned vigil, and someone even left a flower on the doorstep of the bar and grill this morning to show their solidarity.
Dan Flannery, Senior Vice-President of Engagement for Goodwill NCW, has helped set up safe spaces for LGBTQ youth in the Fox Valley and Green Bay areas.
Reading the company's vision, he explained it's a message we all need after this national tragedy.
"To create a world where every person finds joy and purpose free from fear, exclusion, want or need," he said. "That's pretty vital at this time of concern across the country.
This kind of situation is unprecedented, he explained, and the Fox Valley community is working to figure out how to respond.
"What we are doing is letting our folks know that we support them," he said.
Supporting them as the community mourns.
