Tri-State Alliance rallying behind Orlando victims

OWENSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - What was supposed to be an annual tradition, has turned into a day of mourning of the senseless killing of over fifty members of the LGBT community in Orlando. 14 News is told they have the support of the Tri-State Alliance in Evansville.

"This could happen in Evansville, this could happen in Owensboro, you know? Where people target a group of people that they don't like," said Tri-State Alliance President Wally Paynter.

It's a day of empowerment that is now 37-years-old. 28 of them have had Paynter in charge, who has seen cases like this before all over the country.

"I got a message from my sister today, saying be careful and keep your eyes open," Paynter said.

The local LGBT community is feeling stronger than ever, spreading their message all over Burdette Park.

"What happens sometimes is, we're looking at labels, and we're not looking at each other as three dimensional people and then somebody becomes the other, and then they become less human, and they become the target," Paynter said.

Paynter said there were more people there than usual, showing that the Tri-State is with the LGBT community in Orlando, and not succumbing to fear from that night's hate.

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