Orlando attack: Thousands gather in Florida - and across the US - to send message of defiance

These were the first official vigils since the carnage of Sunday morning

Thousands attended events in Orlando (Reuters)

They came as couples, in groups or by themselves. Gay and straight, old and young, black and white. They had plenty of different things to say, but they were united in expressing solidarity with a community that had been left reeling.

On Monday evening, not 48 hours since gunman Omar Mateen had stormed an LBGT nightclub and left 49 people dead in his wake, thousands turned out for vigils to deliver the message that the city would be known by more than his deadly actions. After so many vigils around the world after so many tragedies marked by candles, it might have sound trite or cliched, but the people of Orlando were determined hate would not prosper.

“My message tonight is love, not hate,” said 48-year-old Leslie Smith. He had lost three friends in the attack, one of whom was very close, and he was struggling to take in the enormity of what had happened. “I saw them two or three weeks ago and they hugged me. Now, I won’t be able to say goodbye.”

Mourners embrace during a candle-lit vigil, in memory of the victims of the gay nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, at St Anne's Church in the Soho (Reuters)

There were at least half a dozen vigils in Orlando, some at churches, another at a Muslim prayer centre, with others in almost every state across the country. In Florida, there were events in cities such as Miami.

Thousands of people poured into the centre of Orlando for the “OneOrlando Vigil” on the grass in front of an event at the Dr Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts. They listened to songs, speeches, held placards, left flowers and accepted - and offered - free hugs. The Orlando Gay Chorus performed shortly after the event got under way at around 7pm.

Amal Mahmoud, a Muslim woman from the city, said she had been determined to attend the event. “It’s just to show support and think of others,” she said. “This is very shocking. This city is usually very peaceful.”

Asked about the controversial comments made by individuals such as Donald Trump, who have called for Muslims to be barred from the US, she said: “He needs to be positive, not negative. We don’t want to think about negative things.”

People were encouraged to write messages of support (Andrew Buncombe ) (Andrew Buncombe)

Many people knelt to write messages on large sheets of paper that had been left out on the ground. One of many read: “I live my city and we will be strong and get through this together.”

Kaitlin Daniels, a 20-year-old student, said her friends regularly visited the Pulse club. On this occasion none were caught up in the mayhem that played out in the early hours of Sunday, but it had struck close to home. “People are just feeling sad,” she said.

Carlos Rivera, who was with his partner, Chris Osborn, said that for all the progress made by the LGBT community, it was wrong to ever take anything for granted. “It’s never over, but it does get easier,” he said. He said he believed it was time for the government to take tougher action to enforce gun regulations. There were simply too many such incidents.

Patrice Rene, who lives outside of Orlando, had attended with a friend, Melissa Alexander. They both said that Orlando was supportive of the LGBT community. "I have lots of freinds within the commuinty," said said. "For those that were there, my heart goes out."