Thousands Celebrate Pride Fest Downtown
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh's LGBT community is celebrating this weekend.
It's Pride Fest and it's bigger than ever now that Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage was overturned.
On Saturday, Grammy-winning singer Chaka Khan headlined a street concert in Downtown Pittsburgh too.
"My best friends are all gay and I think it's such an awesome celebration to support them and let them just be who they are with no judgment," Brittany Mitchell said.
This year's event has a different feel since Pennsylvania's recent ruling on recognizing same-sex marriages.
"Thank you Lord for giving me this day. Praise the Lord. If I want to get married, I will," one man said.
The proof of that was evident with a proposal before Chaka Khan took the stage.
Organizers with the Delta Foundation said this event is a labor of love and is well worth it.
"We're just really excited to have such great entertainment, really put on a great event for the community and our allies," Christine Bryan said.
About 100,000 people made their way to Pittsburgh for the two-day event. One long-time couple who traveled in from Ohio said while they're happy to see the same-sex marriage ruling pass in Pennsylvania, they wish their state would follow suit.
"It's very difficult for me. We file separate taxes, we don't share the same benefits. It's difficult and people don't understand that," Les Skinner said.
Political issues aside, people at the event said it is all about acceptance
"It's not about partying and wearing crazy colors," one man said. "It's about being true to who you are and being the best person you can be."
On Sunday, Bill Peduto will marry 20 same-sex couples during a mass ceremony Downtown.
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