WEST VILLAGE — The New York City Pride Parade began Sunday with a moment of silence for victims of the mass shooting in an Orlando gay nightclub and honored them with a flag for each person killed in the attack.
The parade was led by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Anthony Weiner and "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon all making an appearance.
"A lot of this is about unifying with Orlando," said Cuomo before the parade. "New York stands with Orlando, New York loves Orlando."
The governor was trailed by more than 32,000 people who marched down Fifth Avenue toward Stonewall Inn, many of whom came to honor the 49 victims who were slain at the Pulse nightclub two weeks earlier.
Rudy Chacin @ #NYCPride lost 3 friends at Pulse: "we couldn't be there for them then so we're here for them now." pic.twitter.com/CW4afBPdxP
— Kathleen Culliton (@K_Culliton) June 26, 2016
Antonio Ramos, 47: "I'm here to represent trans for my fellows in #Orlando and the whole world. pic.twitter.com/cClSNAw2XX
— Kathleen Culliton (@K_Culliton) June 26, 2016
Pride Parade producers Heritage of Pride organized a color guard to carry 49 orange flags in honor of the victims. Diane LeConte, 46, carried an Orlando memorial flag with her 6-year-old son, Nicholas.
Diane LeConte marches with 6-year-old Nicholas, "to show my son to accept people for who they are." #NYCPride pic.twitter.com/8DmRyi5pH0
— Kathleen Culliton (@K_Culliton) June 26, 2016
The Heritage of Pride float featured the names of the Orlando victims, including Brooklyn’s own Enrique Rios, and was trailed by marchers carrying a #WeAreOrlando banner.
#NYCPride float that honors Orlando victims comes down Stonewall Place. pic.twitter.com/bFQHVhSd3Y
— Kathleen Culliton (@K_Culliton) June 26, 2016
The crowd called out "Somos Orlando" as the float drove down Fifth Avenue.
Clinton joined the parade on Seventh Avenue South and Stonewall Place to shake hands with a crowd of people who chanted her name.
.@HillaryClinton arrives at #NYCPride and crowd roads. pic.twitter.com/KDoD8AbFIb
— Kathleen Culliton (@K_Culliton) June 26, 2016
Rachel, 26, a volunteer at the parade, said that seeing a presidential candidate on Stonewall Place gave the day a special significance. "I knew we were part of something that was a big deal," she said. "Seeing Hillary just confirmed it."
