Thousands of Maritimers gathered at candlelight vigils Monday evening to show their support for the LGBTQ community following a deadly shooting rampage at a gay club in Orlando.

In Halifax, more than 1,000 people from all walks of life came together to light candles, play music, sing songs and share poetry as they mourned those who lost their lives in the shooting.

“They only way we can deal with this kind of hate is to double down on love,” Halifax Mayor Mike Savage told the crowd at the Halifax Common.

Authorities say 49 people were killed when 29-year-old Omar Mateen opened fire in the Pulse Orlando nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning, taking hostages and firing bullets at clubgoers and police.

Mateen was killed in a gun battle with SWAT team members, bringing the death toll to 50 people. Dozens more were critically wounded in what police are calling the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

President Barack Obama has called the shooting an "act of terror" and an "act of hate" targeting a place of "solidarity and empowerment" for gays and lesbians.

The tragedy has shaken many Maritimers, especially those in the LGBTQ community.

“This is a really tragic reminder of the hate and the violence that persists in society against LGBT people,” said Rebecca Rose of the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project.

Lawyer and activist Kevin Kindred says people in the LGBTQ community should seek help if they feel traumatized or re-victimized by the events in Orlando.

“It’s OK to feel shocked and in mourning and like we don’t know how to process events like this and the response is to seek support, whether it’s events like this, or reach out to the people you trust to talk about how you’re feeling,” said Kindred. “The worst thing we can do is let ourselves drown in isolation and sadness when something like this happens.”

Steven Giegerich, the U.S. consul general based in Halifax, says he is moved by the outpouring of support by Canadians to their neighbours to the south.

“We’re very heartbroken over the events in Orlando, Florida and it really strikes at the heart of our open societies and we really are very appreciative of the fact that Canadians feel such a bond with us and really out here to show their support,” said Geigerich.

Candlelight vigils were also held Monday evening in Truro, Sydney and Moncton.

Pride PEI is hosting a candlelight vigil Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Church in Charlottetown.

A candlelight vigil will be held at Fort La Tour in Saint John at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday. People are encouraged to bring candles.

The Wolfville Area Pride Group will hold a candlelight vigil Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Clock Park in Wolfville, N.S. Participants are encouraged to bring pride flags and wear rainbow colours. Organizers will also be collecting donations for the Valley Youth Project.

Fredericton Pride will hold a vigil Thursday at Fredericton City Hall at 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring candles if possible.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Marie Adsett.