Pride Toronto has announced that they are dedicating this year’s parade to the victims of yesterday’s horrifying mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
“We are shocked and saddened by this horrible act,” says Aaron GlynWilliams, co-chair of Pride Toronto’s board of directors, in a press release. “By dedicating the pinnacle of Toronto’s Pride Month celebration to our brothers and sisters in Orlando, we are telling the world that we will not be silenced or intimidated. We will not respond to hate with hate. We will mourn and hold these beautiful family members in our hearts, as we continue to fight violence and discrimination against our community.”
Before the celebrations begin on July 3, there will be a moment of silence followed by a reading the name of each of the 49 people who were killed and the 53 injured in the shooting.
See you there.
Get the official Pride Guide here.
kater@nowtoronto.com | @katernow
