ROCHESTER — On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in a terrorist attack inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. This was the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history. Immediately after that, Rochester began to organize Pride events.

According to Matt Wyatt, the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts chair and co-founder said, “The first Pride was planned immediately after the shooting in Florida. People think that these things don’t happen in this day and age. We want acceptance, freedom, and safety in our communities.”

More than two years later, the third Rochester Pride celebration will be taking place on Hanson Street on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will again be hosted by the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts. There will be a festival, as well as a dance party and celebratory remarks.

“I want everyone to know how supportive the city of Rochester is to the LGBTQ+ community," Wyatt said. "Nearly every downtown business will be flying pride flags outside their establishments on the weekend of Rochester Pride.”

The mission of the event is to promote unity, visibility, inclusivity, equality, and a positive image of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) community, according to the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts website. “We’re not going to stand for discrimination any longer. We need to be visible and make our voices heard,” said Wyatt.

To show their support, most downtown businesses will be displaying pride flags and select businesses will offer Pride-related activities in their establishments. The free festival will feature vendors, food, and live music and will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Immediately after the festival, there will be celebratory remarks by Mayor Caroline McCarley, congressional candidate Chris Pappas, local transgender activist Gerri Cannon and congressional candidate Lincoln Soldati until 5 p.m. This will be taking place at the Performance & Arts Center, 32 North Main St. According to Wyatt, these speakers were picked “because they all have personal experiences that should be shared.” After the celebratory remarks, there will be a dance party until 10 p.m.

Last year’s Pride event attracted about 3,000 people, according to Wyatt, who said they are hoping for the “same kind of support” this year.

“Rochester Pride is a great family event," Wyatt said. "We are just a small community art museum. There are a handful of volunteers making this happen, with little money or resources. It’s important to us that we do as much as we possibly can to raise awareness and present a positive image of the LGBTQ+ community.”

For more information, visit rochestermfa.org/pride.