From: NewNowNext
Exactly five months a Orlando was devastated by the attack on Pulse Nightclub, the city’s LGBT community and its allies united in a show of solidarity and love at Orlando Pride on Saturday.
The Come Out with Pride festival in Thorton Park was originally scheduled for October, but the threat of Hurricane Matthew forced organizers to reschedule. And while time has healed some of the pain, the loss was still palpable.
One attendee told WFTV the event was “kind of like a closure for it, but it will still be a reminder for us for the rest of our lives.”
Survivors and family members will join first responders, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, police chief John Mina and other dignitaries joined together as one group to serve as grand marshals at the Most Colorful Parade.
In addition, 49 crosses were displayed, symbolizing all the victims lost.
“The pain is easing, but I think we really haven’t had a whole community coming together,” said Come Out with Pride’s Jeff Prystajko. “Hopefully we want people at the end of the day to go home with some bit of joy, that they were glad they came.”
Among the entertainers were Alexx Mack, the Orlando Gay Chorus and Drag Race’s own Katya.
As the sun set, the names of the 49 victims were read and fireworks lit up the sky over Lake Eola.
Below, view more images from Orlando Pride.
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