ST. PETERSBURG, FL (WFLA) — The theme at the Friday night’s Tampa Bay Rays game was “we are Orlando.”

It’s on t-shirts handed out to every fan, and on signs displayed inside the stadium. Before the game, fans watched a video, showing some of the Orlando victims. It brought tears as we learned a bit about their lives.

The most touching moment came as a crowd of 40,000 stood in silence. The Rays arranged this night to allow people to grieve.

“Baseball has always been a place that breaks down barriers, that tries to bring people together, so this is one more opportunity for us to that tonight,” Matt Silverman, President of Rays Baseball Operations, said.

The Rays opened up seats in the upper decks to accommodate the large crowd.

“I think because we’re gonna have probably the largest gay contingent we’ve ever seen at a Rays game, that we will have more rays fans from the gay community in the weeks and months to come,” Sherry Langlais said.

A Tampa Bay area singing group called “Una Voce” sang a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

Many here are deeply affected by the Orlando tragedy.

“I was told by the Rays, that they haven’t sold out like this in years. And it really is a testament to the love right here in the Tampa bay area and it matters. It matters a lot,” Nadine Smith, with Equality Florida said.

“I just think it shows that our community is supportive, whether you’re gay or not,” said a game attendee Kim Byle.SEE MORE TOP CLICKED STORIES: