Lady Gaga Delivers Tearful Plea To LGBTQ Community At Orlando Vigil

"This is an attack on humanity itself.”
Lady Gaga at the Los Angeles vigil for victims of the Orlando shooting.
Lady Gaga at the Los Angeles vigil for victims of the Orlando shooting.
David McNew via Getty Images

Following the passage of Proposition 8 and the continued damaging effects of the discriminatory policy banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in 2009 for the National Equality March.

Lady Gaga was one of many who spoke at the rally demanding justice for LGBTQ people in a speech she described as "the single most important moment" of her career.

In the wake of the mass shooting early Sunday morning at a queer nightclub in Orlando, Florida, many turned to the singer again to respond to a tragedy touching LGBTQ Americans, in hopes that her words could uplift a community who's supported her from the onset.

On Monday, Gaga, who identifies as part of the queer community, made a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting to deliver an impassioned speech to a crowd of thousands standing outside City Hall.

“As we have now witnessed the largest mass shooting in American history, I can’t help but feel that this level of hatred, like all prejudicial crimes, this is an attack on humanity itself,” said Gaga, standing in front of signs spelling out Orlando. "This is an attack on everyone."

The Grammy winner was planning to make an appearance at the Emmy For Your Consideration event for "American Horror Story: Hotel," Entertainment Tonight reports, but the event was later canceled out of respect for the those affected by this weekend's attack.

"Tonight I gather humbly with you, as a human being, in peace and sincerity, in commitment and solidarity, to take a real moment and mourn the tragic loss of these innocent, beautiful people," she continued, before reading aloud the names and ages of the 49 victims of the shooting, as tears streamed down her face.

Watch her speech in full below:

Before the vigil, Gaga expressed an outpouring of grief and shock on social media Sunday, sharing with her followers a dream that the tragedy will result in real change.

Read more on the Orlando Shooting:

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