WEST HOLLYWOOD—In the aftermath of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, a local gay bar is considering having armed security guards. The Abbey Food & Bar increased its security presence during Los Angeles Pride celebrations in West Hollywood on Sunday. The Abbey is located on Robertson Boulevard near the parade route.

On the bar’s Instagram page they posted a photo with a caption which read, “A moment of silence at #TheAbbey. We love you @pulseorlando! #LoveConquersHate #PraysForOrlando #Pride2016 #GayPride”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, The Abbey first opened in 1991 as a coffee shop and it served as a community space for activists, as well as a safe haven for the gay community.

On the bar’s Instagram page they also posted a photo of several Pride participants on a parade float. The caption for the photo read: “No act of terrorism will dampen our Pride. Stay Safe Stay Proud. Please donate blood to oneblood.org @pulseorlando #OneLove #PrayForPulse #PulseNightclub #LGBT #Orlando” The photo was also linked to Facebook.

Under the Facebook posts included positive comments that included one from Mahlanie Pham, of West Covina, California who posted: “We LGBT will stand united and you will never defeat Us. Normal people don’t go around destroying other human beings. So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, the good out number you and we always will.”

Brian Rosman from The Abbey sent Canyon News a statement from the owner David Cooley in an email reading, “For Pride, we had 36 security guards, including a visible armed guard at the front and rear entrances at all times.   As we always do, we were searching every bag entering The Abbey and asked anyone with large bulky coats to remove them before entering.  The Abbey has always been a safe haven for the LGBT Community.  It’s my job to keep my customers and my staff safe.   If adding armed guards helps people feel safe, I will do it.  I will continue to work with the West Hollywood Sheriffs on the proper safety precautions moving forward.”

By Shatai Melvin and Amber Marron