Boston Pride Day Event: A Day For Pride And To Remember

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Bostonians of all sexual preferences packed a downtown square for the city's 47th annual Pride Day Parade.

The focus was on remembering the people who were killed in last year's Pulse Night Club shootings, the single largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Twenty-nine survivors of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting led the parade.

"When I graduated a few days ago, I did it for them," one survivor said. "Everything that we do is for them, we keep living."

Sue from New Hampshire was one of the many touched by their participation.

"I just had chills," she told WBZ NewsRadio. "It was just so moving that they came here. It's all about love and people feeling comfortable where they are. I mean, it's a great day!"

"It's the only picture I took, was off that," she added about the survivors' float.

Boston's popular Faneuil Hall Marketplace was host to Saturday's event for the 17th time. The parade began at noon and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was one of the marchers.

The mayor says that the day was one for celebrating and urged participants to continue their struggle for LGBT rights.

This year's theme is "Stronger Together," and the day featured entertainment, including a concert, youth dance and pride festival.

The events were all free and open to the public. Proceeds will benefit the Boston Pride Community Fund, which offers financial support to small, grassroots organizations through annual grants.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports 

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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