Locals gathered in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday afternoon to remember 19 year-old Jorge Steven López, who was brutally murdered last Friday in what appears to be a hate-motivated crime. Local activist and GLAAD ally Christopher Pagan was on the ground in Puerto Rico for the gathering.

"I was really touched by how many locals -- gay and straight-- came together to remember Jorge and defend the rights of the LGBT community," said Pagan.  "Since Jorge's death, I see gay men and lesbians in the community walking with more pride than I had ever seen before and straight community members who sympathize with the gay community during this difficult time."

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios will join thousands of New Yorkers this Sunday, November 22 at Pier 45 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. Stand with GLAAD in mourning the horrific death of Jorge Steven López. The New York Vigil will take place at Pier 45 on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 5:00 pm. An optional mass will follow. Other vigils will be held across the nation in coming days. Vigil locations include: Abilene, TX - 5:30PM, ACU campus, next to GATA fountain [Facebook link] Amherst, MA - MONDAY 11/23 - 6:30PM, Food For Thought Books [Facebook link] Atlanta - Details forthcoming Boston - 7PM, Trinity Church, Copley Plaza [Facebook link] Chicago - 4PM, Division and California, procession to Humboldt Park Boat House [Facebook link coming Friday] Durham, NC - 6PM, Corcoran St, CCB Plaza [Facebook link] Los Angeles - 8PM, Santa Monica and San Vicente [Facebook link] New Orleans - Details forthcoming Oakland - 3:30PM, MacArthur and Lakeshore/Grand Ave [Facebook link] Philadelphia - Details forthcoming San Juan, Puerto Rico - November 25, 6PM, Department of Justice San Francisco - 7PM, Castro and Market [Facebook link] Terre Haute, IN - FRI 11/20 - 6:30PM, Indiana State, DeDe Plaza [Facebook link] For the latest information about a vigil in your area, please visit: http://mercado-vigil.tumblr.com/

(Photos courtesy of Christopher Pagan)