AN EMOTIONAL candlelight vigil in memory of a transgender teenager who was stabbed to death in a park was held on Weymouth seafront on Saturday.

Brianna Ghey, 16, was found dead in Cheshire at 3.13 pm on Saturday, February 11.

A 15-year-old girl from Warrington and a 15-year-old boy from Leigh have been charged with murder.

Following Brianna's death, candlelight vigils have been held up and down the country in memory of the teenager.

In Dorset, a vigil took place on the Esplanade in Weymouth on Saturday evening where about 60 people turned out to pay their respects and make moving speeches.

The event was approved by Weymouth Town Council and was organised by Charity Gardiner, a youth worker in charge of the Space Youth Project in Bridport.

The vigil was also backed by the Weymouth Gay Group, which encouraged people to "bring a candle and a friend'.

Speaking after the event, Charity said it was crucial to make a stand in light of Brianna's murder, which has caused shockwaves up and down the country.

"It went as well as something like that can do," she explained. "People were sad, people were sombre, and there were quite a lot that were willing to come forward and say their piece.

"Their focus was showing that they were there and were supporting.

"There was also some anger voiced by some people because of the fact that trans lives are up for debate.

"Why can't we just live our lives? What happened to live and let live?"

Charity added that there was 'a lot more emotion than anger' at the Weymouth vigil, with some heartfelt speeches made. 

"There was a lady, I didn't catch her name, who was disabled and had written a poem and I think a lot of people had tears in their eyes," she said. 

Charity said last week that someone needed to 'stand up and decide' whether to hold a vigil and she felt it was 'definitely the thing to do'.

"In general across the country trans people are feeling even more unsafe after a 16-year-old girl was murdered," she added.

"It was very imprtant to stand up and be seen, and be seen to be supportive, and I am glad so many people turned out."

Following the vigil, the Weymouth Gay Group said the event had 'lit a candle in a dark place' and 'encouraged so many others to shine'. 

Elsewhere in Dorset a vigil in memory of Brianna was due to take place in Bournemouth on Sunday, while another is planned in Bucky Doo Square, Bridport, next weekend, with a date and time to be announced.

For more information on the Space Youth Project and Weymouth Gay Group, visit www.spaceyouthproject.co.uk and weymouthgaygroup.weebly.com