The city of Kissimmee gave its heart to the victims of Orlando's Pulse nightclub attack Tuesday with a special show of support.

  • Kissimmee residents joined hands to create a heart in tribute to the Pulse victims
  • The city and the county have also put up LGBT rainbow flags

“It's hit our community really hard," said City Commissioner Jose Alvarez.

Kristen Ackley is a local real estate broker born and raised in Kissimmee. She had friends at Pulse nightclub the day of the massacre, and says her heart breaks for her community. "Whenever anybody hurts something that you care about or whenever anybody attacks your home, of course it's emotional," she said.

Hand in hand, people stood together to form a symbol of unity -- a giant heart. It's something Ackley helped organize with local leaders.

"It's a shame that it took this to bring us together. We're not LGBT community, we're not straight community. We're together," expressed Kissimmee City Commissioner Sara Shaw.

The city and the county have put up LGBT rainbow flags. The traveling flags will be in town for the rest of the week as a symbol of acceptance and solidarity.

Roxy Santiago with LGBTQ Alliance, Heal Orlando is happy to see Kissimmee is so understanding. "There's families that don't even know or knew that their loved ones were gay, so all differences aside, we are here and we must unite," Santiago explained.

Ackley says that as the Pulse victims look down from above, she wants them to see the heart as a symbol that those from below will never forget them.

"This community is special to me. Us being a part of Orlando is important and it's important to support each other. And it's important for love and peace to triumph terror and violence," Ackley added.

"This incident has probably changed the hearts and minds of many individuals to see that the LGBT community are people too," said Vivian Rodriguez with the Democratic Hispanic Caucus Of Florida.

The LGBT flags can be seen on the front of Kissimmee City Hall and on the side of the County’s Parking Garage now through June 24.