Vigil held for Pulse nightclub victims at The Montrose Center

HOUSTON – The Montrose Center and Pride Houston joined with several other organizations to host a vigil Monday evening for those killed during the tragic mass shooting at a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church held an Interfaith service in solidarity with Orlando.

Hundreds of people packed into Houston's largest LGBT inclusive church to pray, sing and honor the lives lost.

"It could have happened anywhere, and that's what's so sccary and makes us want to come together and be defiant," Executive Director Ann Robinson of the Montrose Center said.

The Montrose Center is a place where the LGBT community can come year-round for support or guidance, and Monday night it was a place for people to come together in unity and healing. 

An impressive crowd gathered outside the Center, which many consider the heart of Montrose.

Other hosting organizations include Legacy Community Health, Lambda NextGen, Out for Education, Outreach United, the GLBT Political Caucus and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

"This is pride month," Robison said. "This is clearly a statement against the gay community."

The LGBT community is making its own statement, coming together in solidarity to show that love always conquers hate. 

“The attack was both an act against America and against the entire LGBT community,” organizers said in a release.

They said that being together as a community helps them cope.

"You feel a sense of great loss but also a sense of community that we're all together, supporting one another," Mark Hayes said.

"It makes things a little better because we're a giant family," Danielle Reece said.

"It's incredible to see people, all walks of life, all different religions, coming together to take part honoring those who were tragically killed," Constable Alan Rosen, Harris County Precinct 1, said.

Rosen said after the attacks in Orlando, law enforcement in Houston got together to gear up for the Pride Parade next weekend.

"I can assure you from a law enforcement perspective - all hands are on deck, we are working collaboratively to make sure it's a safe Pride Parade," Rosen said.