Lakeland held Florida's first gay pride event since the shooting in Orlando. Hundreds of people danced and sang while wearing rainbow colors.
"We never considered canceling, absolutely not we are a community that needs to come together right now," said organizer Scott Guira.
He said extra police officers were brought in to provide security. There were no threats reported during the event.
Kerri Mccoy came to the event to support her son. She said he was the first person he thought of when she heard the news.
"My first thought was I need to hear my sons voice, I knew that my son wasn't there mother's intuition but I needed to hear his voice," said Mccoy.
Mccoy said the event showed unity.
"Not a lot of people realize it ,but we have a huge gay and lesbian community here in Polk County," said Mccoy.
St. Petersburg will hold a gay pride event next weekend.
