Eric Skains said he knew right away that Pride in St. Pete must go on. He's the organizer of the yearly event that draws in about 100,000 people to St. Petersburg.
"You can't just sit back and say we are going to let these guys win," said Skains.
He believes the event in Orlando will cause people in the Tampa Bay area to come together.
"We have received so many outpouring emails and Facebook messages saying I've never been to pride before but this is the year that I'm going to come," said Skains.
Officials said they plan to step up security around the parade route.
"You are going to see a lot of officers in uniform, but what's most important is that there is going to be a lot of officers that you are not going to see walking the crowd," said Chief Anthony Holloway.
Holloway said FBI agents will also be on hand to help keep the crowd safe.
St. Pete Pride begins on June 25.
