While it wasn’t clear Sunday morning whether the attack specifically targeted people for their sexual orientation or perceived orientation, “it made us even more committed to be here today, to be visible, standing up for LGBT rights,” he explained.Īmong the spectators was a woman named A.J., a lesbian visiting from Dubai who was wearing a rainbow-colored wig and taking photos of the colorful floats with her cellphone. Mikel Wadewitz, director of communications for AIDS Project Los Angeles, said he felt it was important to participate Sunday, given the shooting in Orlando. “People shouldn’t have access to guns that easily,” he said. He added that he hoped the shooting would bring attention to the need to lift the ban on sexually active gay men donating blood - and to the issue of gun access.
Richardson, who lived much of his life in Orlando, said he felt it was “even more important to come out on a day like today and stand with everybody” in light of the Florida shooting.
“Our hearts will be heavy but our resolve will be strong,” Meister said.ĭominique Richardson watched the parade from the sidewalk near Santa Monica and Crescent Heights boulevards. Garcetti was joined by West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister, members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. “We are here to march, to celebrate and to mourn,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. Moments before the parade began, organizers, elected leaders and law enforcement officials held a news conference and a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting.
“That’s why we’re out here - for equal rights and for people not to discriminate and kill each other senselessly like happened last night,” Marino said. … I think love will prevail.”Īddressing the crowd, parade emcee Bert Champagne said the hateful act in Orlando was done “to terrorize us, to undo all we have achieved in unity and love.”Īmong the marchers was Cory Marino, 27, of Fort Worth, Texas, who was in town for work but came out Sunday to show his support.ĭonning an orange tutu and blue tank top, Marino said it was important to celebrate gay pride while remembering the victims of the Orlando shooting. “It’s a little scary, but I think it’s amazing. “We’re all staying,” Barker explained shortly before the parade started. James Howell, 20, of Indiana was apprehended by Santa Monica police hours after the Orlando attack. Pride parade, the Netflix team was informed of the situation so that members could decide whether they wanted to leave, Barker said.