"People need to remember we're still fighting for equality." "A lot of my gay friends and relatives are still being shunned away by their families and communities," said Desamparado, 31. She said she felt the need to remind people the fight for equality is not over.
Richel Desamparado, of Oakland, California, was marching and carrying a photo of Orlando victim Stanley Almodovar. It was a similar feeling in San Francisco, where men in glittery white wings walked on stilts and women in leather pants rode motorcycles as the parade moved along. "We're aware of Orlando but not overwhelmed by it." "It is another on a list of brutalities over the years (against gays)," said Joe Conklin, 74, of Chicago, as he sat on the back of a float waiting for the OK to move out. Many participants said the tributes to the dead in Orlando didn't dampen the energy and fun associated with the pride parade. Above each photo were the words, "Never forget."ĭespite the somber start, parade-goers seemed as enthusiastic as ever once marchers and floats began moving, cheering and dancing along the route. In Chicago, 49 marchers at the head of the parade each held aloft a poster-sized photograph of a different Orlando victim as the procession wound through the city. They came two weeks after the nation's deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. New York's parade was one of several being held Sunday across the country, along with San Francisco, Chicago, Minneapolis and St. "What happened in Orlando made me want to come more," said Restrepo, swathed in a multicolored scarf. She had brushed aside her father's concerns about security to attend the march for the first time. H"Īuthorities had expected a larger-than-usual crowd, and 15-year-old Chelsea Restrepo, of Staten Island, was among the onlookers. Yet LGBT Americans still face too many barriers. On Sunday, with her Twitter handle appearing in rainbow colors, Clinton wrote: "One year ago, love triumphed in our highest court. Al Sharpton for a brief appearance at Stonewall Inn, the bar where a 1969 police raid helped catalyze the gay rights movement. Andrew Cuomo, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Rev. She walked several blocks of the march, joining New York Gov. Elected officials turned out in force, as did presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. An announcer introducing state officials and guests also shouted out, "Love is love! New York is Orlando!" in memory of the 49 people killed in Florida. Some spectators held up orange "We are Orlando" signs, and indications of increased security were everywhere, with armed officers standing by.
Police were visible even along streets adjacent to the parade route.NEW YORK (AP) - Rainbow flags were held high along with portraits of the dead as thousands of people marched Sunday in gay pride parades tempered by this month's massacre at a Florida gay nightclub.Ĭrowds of onlookers stood a dozen deep along Fifth Avenue for New York City's parade.
The shooting also meant security is be higher than normal at this year’s parade. The parade wraps up a month of Pride festivities in Toronto, which saw entertainment heavyweights like George Takei and Lindsay Lohan participate. Other notable politicians who took part include Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory.īefore the parade, Trudeau attended an outdoor church service in the heart of the city’s gay village where he sang along to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” The prime minister posed for selfies as he greeted parade watchers and frequently found himself surrounded by a crush of revellers. Trudeau drew a boisterous reaction from those who lined Yonge Street to watch the parade go by - he has taken part in the parade before, including last summer, but this is his first as prime minister. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch Photo by CP “We have to speak up anytime there is intolerance or discrimination,” he said as he marched. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.