There’s sadness, there’s anger, but there’s also resolution and people are resolved to go forward.” He added: “There’s a duality of emotions going on. “People are not staying away they are actually coming down here in the show of solidarity,” said Bernie Delia, Capital Pride Alliance board president. Capitol and a candlelight vigil at Dupont Circle - and there was no indication that turnout at the Pride festival was any lower than it would have otherwise been. Supporters planned several vigils in the region Sunday night, including a “Rally for Peace” at the U.S. A moment of silence punctuated the festival early Sunday afternoon as hundreds of revelers hugged, held hands and hoisted rainbow flags. The Gay Men’s Chorus dedicated its festival performance to the victims. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)įor many, the answer was to celebrate as usual - if not more so - while paying respect to the lives lost.
In the District, the question that suffused the festivities was how to celebrate the LGBT community’s growing prominence in the national ethos at a moment of violence and uncertainty.Ī moment of silence is held during the Capital Pride festival along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington.
Authorities found possible explosives as well as an assault rifle and ammunition in his car. Praying for victims, families & an end to senseless gun violence.”Īlso on Sunday, authorities in Los Angeles said they arrested a heavily armed man who said he was going to the L.A.
Terry McAuliffe (D) tweeted: “I’m heartbroken by the news of sons & daughters lost last night in Orlando. “We offer our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the innocent victims of this act of terror, and our deepest gratitude to the first responders and law enforcement who responded to this tragedy with bravery and courage,” Hogan said. Rick Scott (R), who has issued a state of emergency, to lend support and assistance. Larry Hogan (R) said he reached out to Florida Gov. In statements Sunday, local elected officials expressed heartache upon learning of the attack. The Islamic State-linked Amaq News Agency said in a message Sunday that the Orlando shooting “was carried out by an Islamic State fighter.” President Obama said federal authorities were investigating the attack as an act of terrorism. Pride on Sunday, the LGBTQ community expresses sorrow and stands in support with the victims of the deadly mass shooting that took place at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Mateen, whose family is from Afghanistan, also cited the 2013 bombing of the Boston Marathon.Īt D.C. During the attack, authorities say, Mateen made a 911 call in which he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. And much work remains right here in the District of Columbia.”Īuthorities say Omar Mateen, 29, opened fire inside the crowded Pulse nightclub early Sunday, killing 50 people and injuring 53 others in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. “It’s a sad day for all of us and a powerful reminder that there’s still a lot of hatred in the world,” said David Mariner, executive director of the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Sunday’s Capital Pride Festival, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people, became a symbol for participants who said it represented both the recent triumphs of the LGBT community but also underscored the work that remains. ”When I had first started realizing who I was, there wasn’t any support whatsoever,” he said.A day intended to be one of celebration and jubilance for Washington’s gay community took on a more somber tone Sunday as participants reacted to reports that the gunman who killed at least 50 people in an Orlando gay nightclub may have targeted them because of their sexual orientation. He was among the 100s who joined the march, chanting proudly while carrying a sign with the words “Self-made Man” on a background of trans pride colors. Matthew Black, 24, knew he was trans since he was 5, playing with cousins and being more comfortable on boys’ teams. Hundreds took to the streets, marching through the Thornton Park neighborhood and around Lake Eola, holding up signs in solidarity with the trans community, the streets reverberating with supportive cheers by onlookers and the crowd chanting, “Trans power,” and, “The T will not be silent.” We have always been here and we will continue to prevail, leaving no life left behind.” “Let us not be discouraged, let us not be defeated. “There is a well-coordinated and highly funded effort by groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Heritage Foundation to erase trans people, but we will not be erased,” Crespo said.