Home In the U.S. Gay parade in Florida: the memory of the tragedy in Orlando with a political touch. A PHOTO

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Gay parade in Florida: the memory of the tragedy in Orlando with a political touch. A PHOTO

'20.06.2016' Author: Rafael Apriam Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google News

A week after the massacre at a gay club in Orlando, one of the largest festivals of the LGBT community in the United States, Wilton Manors Stonewall, took place in one of the cities of Florida, Wilton Manors. The name of the festival, now in its 18th year, refers to the famous “Stonewall riots” of 1969 in New York - spontaneous demonstrations against police raids at the Stonewall Inn bar.

The traditional gay parade, which takes place during the festival, began with a minute of silence in memory of 49 victims of the tragedy and procession with the participation of 49 activists of the organization Latinos Salud, who had signs with the names of each of the victims. On the day when Omar Matin made a shooting at the Pulse club, a Latin American party was held there, so the activists of Latinos Salud tell us that many of its participants were personally acquainted.

“We need to be together, especially after Orlando. The South Florida LGBT community is one big family,” Victor Gonzalez, one of the leaders of Latinos Salud, tells me.

In connection with the latest events, as the organizers warned, security measures were tightened. True, it was expressed, rather, in the presence of a large number of police officers who patrolled the territory on cars, motorcycles and even bicycles. No metal detectors or additional checks were organized.

“I have never seen so many law enforcement agencies at festivals,” continues Victor Gonzalez. “The FBI is here, and the police are not only in Wilton Manors, but also in Fort Lauderdale. We feel safe here, and I don’t think anyone was scared and refused to participate in the parade.”

Local restaurants have traditionally offered special menus with various discounts, and almost all of them, like the balconies of nearby hotels and Wilton Manors apartment buildings, flew “rainbow” flags of the LGBT community.

The theme of Orlando was also the main one in conversations with those who came just to watch the festival and have a good time. Including from other countries and continents.

“I came a long way to get to this parade,” says Kevin from the Canary Islands city of Las Palmas. — A terrible tragedy occurred in Orlando. I think this crime was committed by a sick person, a latent homosexual, and that was precisely his main problem.”

As previously reported, Omar Matin often attended a gay club Pulse, which he then came with a rifle and a pistol.

“It is terrible to realize that you are helpless in the face of such incidents. But I think it will just bring more unity to our community,” says Andy’s girlfriend from nearby Oakland Park. “Any crimes are aimed at intimidating people, but they do not know our strength and solidarity. At events like this festival, you can see that there are a lot of us.”

“No murder will make me refuse to attend the festival. I'm not going to be afraid of anything,” explains Jessica from Fort Lauderdale. And her friend Jake, from Wilton Manors, adds that for him this parade means the opportunity to be himself, and if all he wants is his own identity, he is ready to sacrifice himself.

“I'm 100% gay, and something like this is very important to me, especially after what happened in Orlando,” says Alex from Fort Lauderdale. “We must take care of each other and must not give up.” We went to Orlando immediately after the tragedy to pay tribute to the victims, and bought these T-shirts there. We must be stronger to prevent such things from happening in the future."

A friend of Alex Josh complains that there are still many people in the United States with a mentality that was in the past when homosexuality was not recognized either at the state level or in society as a whole.

Alex and Josh. Photo: Rafael Apriam

Paige Roosendaal from Miami, who admitted that she has Russian roots, says that she is heterosexual, but considers it important to support the LGBT community.

“Even if it has nothing to do with you, every person has the right to love and be loved. And if I can join such a holiday at least with my “voice,” I must do so. The tragedy in Orlando speaks not only to the need to fight for rights, but also to make changes from a safety perspective,” Page said.

Paige Roosendaal from Miami. Photo: Rafael Apriam

The word “hate” was heard from the mouths of most interlocutors when answering the question about the reasons for the reprisals against members of the LGBT community that still occur in the United States.

Al-Jay (left) is participating for the fifth time at the Stonewall festival in Wilton Manor's. Photo: Rafael Apriam

“No one should be scared. Love those you care about and be yourself, says Amanda from Miami, who came to the festival with her girlfriend Dallas. “If I am destined to die on this day, then this is my destiny.” What happened in Orlando is, of course, scary and, unfortunately, it says a lot about the views that exist in society. Perhaps they don't like our love of freedom. Hopefully the situation will change in the near future, but it all depends on the people.”

17-year-old Christopher from Fort Lauderdale says he first attends the festival in Wilton Manors, but before that was at a similar event in Miami Beach.

“It’s important to get out of the shell you find yourself in from time to time,” says Christopher. “Here is a friend of mine who is not gay, but came to show his support, as did my parents, who are around here somewhere.” I think they came here largely because of what happened in Orlando. Besides, their son is gay, and they accepted it. Of course, it wasn't easy at first. I came out to them [of my sexuality] at the age of 14, while we were driving somewhere in a car, which I can now say should never be done. My mother was driving, but now both she and my father share with me everything they learn about gays.”

More than 20 thousand people took part in the Wilton Manors Stonewall festival, according to police. Moreover, among the participants in the gay pride parade there were a lot of politicians - mainly at the local level (including the mayors of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park), but a national politician stood out from the general background - Chairman of the National Committee of the US Democratic Party, Debbie Wasserman-Schulz, who is a member of the Florida State House of Representatives.

Mayor Wilton Manors Gary Resnick (left) and Vice Mayor Scott Newton. Photo: Rafael Apriam

The Democratic candidate for the upcoming US presidential elections, Hillary Clinton, was also invisibly present at the festival. In one of the pavilions there was a stand with a banner “Hillary 2016” and the face of the ex-Secretary of State in rainbow colors. The young people who collected LGBT signatures said they were working for the Clinton campaign, but declined to comment further.

And during the parade itself, a parody Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent Donald Trump, whose masks were put on the activists' heads, were discovered on one of the traditional vans. It should be noted that such a surprise audience, gathered on both sides of the barriers, met with applause.

Parade participants also did not miss the opportunity to criticize Florida Governor Rick Scott, who, as experts recently noted, never once used the terms “gay” or “LGBT” in his statements on the massacre in Orlando. One banner read: “Governor Scott, say our name.”

In addition, the gay parade in Wilton Manor's was attended by police officers led by Scott Israel, the sheriff of Broward County, which includes the city, as well as firefighters, rescuers, judges and other civil servants.

In total, according to police, more than 20 thousand people visited the Stonewall festival.

“LGBT and law enforcement: united and proud”