Orlando shooting: Vigils planned in cities across the globe to honour LGBT nightclub victims

People across the globe have been paying tribute to the victims of a brutal attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The shooting on 12 June left 50 people dead and a further 53 injured, with the police confirming that the incident was being treated as an "act of domestic terrorism".

Acknowledging the attack as being targeted specifically against the LGBT community, thousands of people flooded social media to condemn homophobia. As the hashtag #LoveIsLove began trending worldwide, a number of vigils were also organised in cities across the globe to stand in solidarity with the victims and the LGBT community.

IBTimes UK rounds up a list of the vigils taking place in countries across the globe.

London and the UK

A vigil entitled "London stands with Orlando" has been planned for 13 June in Soho. Organisers have asked Londoners to gather at Old Compton Street at 7pm, urging them not to spend money on candles and flowers but to make a donation to the crowdfunding campaign for the Orlando shooting victims.

More than 2,000 people have said they will be attending the vigil in central London, with many also volunteering to help organise the event. According to Gay Times, bars in the area will stop serving drinks between 7pm and 8pm as people take to the streets of Soho to pay their respects to the victims.

Additionally, organisers of the Pride in London event have confirmed that there will be a minute's silence at the event on 25 June. On Tuesday, mourners are expected to gather at the American Embassy in London at 7pm for another vigil.

Vigils are also taking place in Newcastle, Luton, Nottingham, Coventry, Norfolk, Cardiff, Southampton, Bournemouth, Exeter, Bristol and Oxford.

Sydney and the rest of Australia

In Sydney, the Defend Safe Schools project has planned a candlelight vigil on 13 June at 7pm. Hundreds of people said they would be attending the event at the Newton Neighbourhood Centre, with the organisers reminding attendees that "no Islamophobia will be permitted" on the event Facebook page or at the event.

Vigils are also taking place in Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Albury, Wollongong, Darwin, Townsville, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Canada

Although a number of memorials have already taken place in cities across Canada, another one is due to take place in Montreal on 16 June. Organised by Collectif Carree Rose, hundreds of people are expected to gather at the Parc D L'espoir at 7pm.

On 13 June, mourners will gather at the Halifax Common in Nova Scotia at 8pm for a candlelight vigil. More than 1,000 people have expressed interest in attending the vigil.

Hong Kong

On the other side of the world, mourners in Hong Kong will be gathering at 7pm outside the Linq on Pottinger Street to remember those who lost their lives. The memorial is being organised by the Pink Alliance, who urged people to show up despite the chance of rain.

United States

Authorities in Orlando have urged people to hold off on planning vigils in the city, saying that it was placing strain on limited resources. Those looking to leave memorial items were asked to do so in the green front space of the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando.

A spokesperson said: "We understand our community is grieving and that vigils are being planned but please hold off on vigils – they represent a serious strain on our limited resources, which we need to dedicate to law enforcement and victims."

However, hundreds of vigils are being organised in other parts of the United States. A website called "We Are Orlando" has been set up to list all the memorial events taking place across the country.