Runners Spread Messages Of Hope At Central Park Pride Run
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City is filled with pride this weekend as the LGBTQ community celebrates and remembers those lost in the Orlando nightclub shooting.
On Saturday morning, runners spread love and healing through Central Park at the 35th Annual LGBT Pride Run.
In rainbows and racing gear, the runners were covered in messages of hope, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.
"You see people with their bibs that say, 'I'm running for Orlando,'" one runner said.
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The run felt much easier this year for those inspired to keep on going.
"With all that's going on in the world it's a great time to pay attention to life and the people around you and stay positive," said Brian Gustaveson of Midtown West.
"It's been a weekend full of celebration and remembrance," said Jeffrey Meyer of the NYC Gay Mens Chorus.
With every step, the runners remembered the 49 lives lost in Orlando and they ask for steps from lawmakers to ensure something like this never happens again.
"Back in 1996 we had the Port Arthur massacre in Australia and our president stood up for the country and banned all high powered fire arms like that," said Jase Kerr, of Sydney, Australia. "It worked, that's what you guys should do here."
While Congress failed to pass tougher gun laws in the wake of the massacre, it doesn't keep the runners from moving forward.
"With every social justice issue there is always work to be done and we're on a journey, we're not there yet, hopefully one day," said Orlando native Abbe Walker.
Pride Week is also a time to celebrate the victories accomplished along the way.
"Last summer my uncles got married in New York," one runner said. "It's all because the Supreme Court decision allowed same sex marriage and we can finally celebrate their true wedding here in New York where all of our family is."
Pride events will continue across the city, ending with the main event -- the Gay Pride Parade.