Geoff and Alane Nilsen braved the cold together, showing their support for the rainbow community of Palmerston North.

Chrissy and Eli Coombes , 11, sat in solidarity with the Palmerston North community.

Troy Norman was among the many showing their respects beneath the clock tower.

Young and old, there was much laughter and happiness as the vigil was held for Orlando.

Rashmi Tripathi holds a candle in the Palmerston North community's show of support for the LGBT community.

People gathered in a show of solidarity with the rainbow community in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history.

About 300 Palmerston North people gathered at The Square to share their messages of acceptance and love for one another, holding candles under the rainbow-lit clock tower.

The vigil was organised to show respect and love for the 49 people killed and 53 injured by Omar Mateen at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association acting president Andrew Clayton urged the community to "act in defiance" of hatred, by spreading love and acceptance.

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"We are your sons, your daughters, your brothers, sisters, your parents, neighbours and work colleagues.

"Stand proud, stand with us here and across the world in defiance," Clayton said.

Councillor Aleisha Rutherford and Abi Symes began organising the event on Friday, following a meeting with the Palmy Youth Network.

Rutherford said she was "lucky" to be able to hold her husband's hand walking through the street.

"That luxury is not afforded to everyone. I want to be part of a community that embraces diversity and difference," she said.

"I'm proud to stand before you and say that I'm an ally."

Symes, who was master of ceremonies, said she didn't expect to see such large numbers turn out.

"It's really beautiful and encouraging. It's encouraging progress in our community, this show of support tonight is absolutely beautiful," Symes said.

Mayor Grant Smith, UniQ co-oordinator Seth Winn and Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway spoke also.

Lees-Galloway said the attack was an act of extreme prejudice against the rainbow community.

"Let us acknowledge what that attack was," Lees-Galloway said.

He said the nightclub was supposed to be a sanctuary for those who were discriminated against.

"Someone came into that place and violated it. [Mateen] violated the idea that a community should have a place where it should be safe from that hatred.

"Let us also reaffirm our commitment to love, reaffirm our commitment to respect."