Boston Pride Block Parties, With Increased Security, Continue After Orlando Shootings

Jamaica Plain, MA – Two block parties celebrating Boston's LGBT community were held as scheduled Sunday afternoon as the nation mourned those killed in a mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub early in the morning.

There was a moment of silence for the victims at 4 p.m. in Back Bay and Jamaica Plain, where increased security peppered the organized festivities Boston Pride had organized.

At least 50 people were killed Sunday and 53 more hospitalized after a gunman opened fire in an Orlando nightclub in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

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Law enforcement described the attack as a possible "act of terror" carried out by Omar Mateen.

The shooting took place at Pulse Orlando Night Club & Ultra Lounge, a popular gay bar, where about 350 people were partying.

"Usually our block parties are pretty safe, but the mayor’s ordered more security," DeMarco said. "We don't anticipate anything happening, but it's to make our people feel at ease."

DeMarco said the mayor and Boston Police immediately reached out to Boston Pride this morning to ensure the safety of those attending this afternoon's events.

Trinity Church will also hold a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. in memory of those who lost their lives, according to DeMarco.

Boston Pride president Sylvain Bruni said it won't be easy celebrating in wake of the tragedy.

"We woke up pretty horrified at the news," Bruni told Patch. "Never pleasant to wake up to news of a terrorist attack that left 50 people dead. And especially because the kind of venue in which this occurred. So whether or not the LGBT community was targeted specifically, it has a very deep impact on us and all of our team because we are right in the middle of pride here.

"We are celebrating who we are, we are trying to be very visible, very loud, very active to ensure equal rights for everyone and losing 50 people as we are celebrating who we are is very tough."

Bruni said they are celebrating "basically with the message that we are not afraid, we are going to continue being who we are, we are going to continue being out here and have a good time in honor of those victims and their families."

In an emailed statement, Ann Murphy, a spokeswoman for Boston Pride, wrote, "Boston Pride extends our sympathies to the victims and families of the tragic Orlando nightclub massacre and we stand in unison with the LGBT community of Orlando to condemn this vicious act."

Massachusetts State Police announced Sunday that the shooter, identified as Omar Mateen, had no ties to the state.

"The Massachusetts State Police and our partner agencies at the Commonwealth Fusion Center and in the Joint Terrorism Task Force thus far have found no connection to Massachusetts on the parts of the suspected Orlando gunman and his spouse," state police said in a statement. "We continue to monitor the investigation into this horrific mass shooting and will provide updates to local media and citizens if necessary. Our prayers today are with the victims and their loved ones. We remain resolute, standing side-by-side with our federal and local partners in law enforcement, in our counter-terrorism mission."

Greg Hambrick, Joe Lipovich, and Nate Boroyan contributed to this report.