“I think it is an act of defiance on one level, to come out and say, ‘We stand by our values: inclusion and love and tolerance, ‘ ” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN on Sunday.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, buoyed by a double-digit polllead over Republican Donald Trump in the race for the White House, joined the tail end of the route on Sunday in NY.
Millions will march across the nation Sunday to celebrate annual LGBT parades amid tight security following the Florida massacre.
During the parade/march people honored the lives of the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. There was added police presence at the parade for added safety. Elected officials turned out in force, as did presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
The memory of the Pulse nightclub shooting loomed large over celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in major American cities, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Houston.
Onlookers have already started lining up along Fifth Avenue to get the best vantage point for New York City’s famous gay pride parade.
“I feel like they’re taking care of us, making sure the parade route is safe”, said Bonny White of Marin County. Victims will be honored with a moment of silence when the march reaches the grandstand.
The lead float in New York’s parade will be dedicated to the Orlando victims.
In San Francisco, the crowd cheered and electronic music blared from floats, a group carried placards with photos of the Orlando victims and men in leather bondage walked the route under bright sunshine.
The bar was the scene of a 1969 police raid that triggered riots and an impromptu rally that ignited a long struggle to bring LGBT people into the United States mainstream and guarantee their rights.
“We had fun. That is what gay people do”, comedian Guy Branum wrote in a New York Times essay after attending the West Hollywood parade.
Organizers said they did not have final numbers on turnout but that 32,000 marchers and more than 420 groups had been expected. Paradegoers will see increased security, anti-violence messages and tributes to those killed in Orlando. “To my country I want to say, ‘love each other'”.
Chicago police have put 200 more officers than usual on duty for the city’s pride parade Sunday.
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In San Francisco, for the first time, this year’s Pride Fest will include a security checkpoint screening at every entrance, according to CNN affiliate KGO.
