Hamilton raises Pride flag amid somber thoughts of Orlando victims

There was anger and sadness after the mass murder of 50 people in an Orlando gay club this weekend. But overall, Hamilton's ceremony raising the LGBTQ and transgender pride flags Monday was a celebration.

The Orlando murders were "a horrific attack that took 50 members of our family," saidMarlon Picken, a member of the city's LGBTQ advisory committee.

You mourn for the dead, and then you fight like hell for the living.- Marlon Picken, member ofthe city's LGBTQ advisory committee

But Picken told the crowd of more than 300 that it's a reminder that the fight isn't over, and it's time to hold governments accountable.

"You mourn for the dead, and then you fight like hell for the living," he said.

Emily Groom, owner of the Steel Lounge, urged people to call the Orlando incident "what it is. It's a hate crime."

People ask why we still need a parade. They ask why we need to gather,why we need queer spacesThis is exactly why.- Emily Groom

But it's also a reminder of why Pride is necessary.

"People ask why we still need a parade. They ask why we need to gather,why we need queer spaces This is exactly why."

Aidan Johnson, a Ward 1 councillor and Hamilton's first openly gay member of city council, said the crowd was "here to grieve."

"We are here to feel sadness and we are here to feel anger," he said. But "pride is a time of joy. Pride is a time of loveIt's a holiday ofall that we've accomplished.

So "let's unfurl this flag and have a kickass celebration."

The event happened in the city hall forecourt. For the first time, the city raised the transgender pride flag too.

Transgender discrimination, said Johnson, is "the new frontier of bigotry."

Hamilton Pride organizers are holding Pride at the Pier on Saturday from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Thecity is contributing $7,500 to the event.