Brutus Buckeye will not participate in the Columbus Pride Parade and Festival this weekend. Although the mascot was signed up to attend, the Ohio State University spirit coaches decided to pull the plug, citing heightened safety concerns after the mass shooting at a gay nightclub Sunday in Orlando that left 49 dead and 53 injured. Outlook Ohio Magazine first reported on Ohio State's decision.

Brutus Buckeye will not participate in the Columbus Pride Parade and Festival this weekend.

Although the mascot was signed up to attend, the Ohio State University spirit coaches decided to pull the plug, citing heightened safety concerns after the mass shooting at a gay nightclub Sunday in Orlando that left 49 dead and 53 injured.

Outlook Ohio Magazine first reported on Ohio State's decision.

In a post on its Facebook page Wednesday, the Columbus Ohio Gay Lesbian Ally Hockey Association said the Buckeye coaching staff provided a two-sentence explanation for the change in plans.

Had Brutus attended, Columbus would have made history as the first Pride Parade to host a Big Ten and Division I mascot from a major university, according to the association.

�It�s a big surprise to us,� said Doug Massey, the association's president. �We�re disappointed, but we understand. There�s no hard feelings, no resentment.�

Massey said the group had been working with Ohio State for several months to get Brutus on board. He said that on Monday, after the events in Orlando, OSU representatives grew anxious about the upcoming parade.

Massey said his association offered additional security for Brutus during the parade.Then, they got the email saying Brutus was out.

�Sometimes it�s hard for people outside the GLBT community to understand the experience,� Massey said. �We all understand the tragedy (of Orlando), but in our community, it�s something there all the time.�

Other mascots are participating in the parade, including Stinger of the Blue Jackets, Krash and Lou Seal of the Clippers and Crew Cat.

Following renewed safety concerns after the Orlando shooting early Sunday, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced Monday that the city would provide "significantly more" police officers for the Pride festivities.

Karla Rothan, executive director of Stonewall Columbus, which organizes the Pride festival and parade, said she is not concerned about safety this weekend, describing the event as "extra safe" with the added police presence and involvement from Homeland Security.

Rothan also said she doesn't expect the events in Orlando to hurt attendance for the weekend activities. In fact, she said she thinks it will attract more people.

"We feel this is going to be one of the safest and biggest Prides we've had," Rothan said. "People who haven't marched in years are coming out to march in solidarity."

Neither Rothan nor Massey had heard of specific threats against Brutus.

Ben Johnson, Ohio State University spokesman, said many other Ohio State officials, including President Michael V. Drake and a group of faculty, staff, students and senior officials, still plan to participate in the Pride festivities this weekend. A statement released by the school said the spirit program "made the difficult decision to withdraw Brutus due to expressed safety concerns."The university would not elaborate further on why Brutus dropped out of the parade.

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