With Orlando In Mind, Orange County Prepares For First-Ever Gay-Pride Parade
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — The people are ready, the tents are going up, pride is evident.
With hours before Orange County's first gay-pride parade, organizers have one thing on their minds.
Organizers told KCAL9's Stacey Butler after the attack in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that left 49 dead and more than 50 wounded, security and safety is on everyone's minds.
"Safety became our No. 1 priority," said organizer Zackery Glass of OC Pride.
For the LGBT community in Orange County, the shooting changed everything.
More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the parade and eighth annual festival Saturday.
Organizers acknowledge they had temporary thoughts of canceling the parade and the festival. But instead they decided the show must go on -- with beefed-up security.
Santa Ana police will also be out in force to make sure everyone stays safe.
"We are in good hands. They are taking extra precautions. The whole point of a pride parade is not to live in fear. The theme of our parade is live your life. So, we are not going to hide, we are not going to live in fear," said Glass.
Locals that Butler spoke to agreed the parade and party should go on.
"In the wake of that, you need to still do what you were planning on doing, it shows support, it shows you're not going to be in fear," said Jackie Martin or Huntington Beach.
"I think having added security will help everyone feel more comfortable. It's totally the right thing to do," said Eric Spevacek of Huntington Beach.
For more about the festival and parade, click here.