Updated at 1:11 p.m.

Esther Sexton was afraid when she woke up Sunday morning. She hadn't felt that way any of the other three years she marched in Portland's Pride Parade.

She made sure her pets had extra food. She texted her family that she loved them. She updated the medical information on her phone - just in case.

And then she headed to the parade wearing a shirt that reads, "Still here still queer."

"I refuse to live in fear," said the Pacific University student. "Too many people have fought for civil rights. My generation has received the privilege from that, and we can't let that go."

This year's parade comes a week after a gunman walked into a gay nightclub in Orlando and opened fire, killing 49 people and injuring 53 more before he was fatally shot by police. Later that day, police caught a heavily armed man on his way to the Los Angeles pride festival with intent "to harm."

After the tragedy, organizers predicted that the Portland parade would have one of the largest turnouts in its history.

"We will be determined, we will be celebratory," said Debra Porta, sponsorship coordinator of Pride Northwest, which puts on the parade. "There will be tears of sadness and tears of joy."

Esther Sexton refuses to live in fear following Orlando. "Too many people have fought for civil rights. My generation has received the privilege from that, and we can't let that go."

Pride Northwest worked with the city all week "in terms of making sure everyone remains safe and vigilant so we can express our pride and have a great time," Porta said.

On-site security was up 25 percent from previous years, and Portland police also increased their presence.

"There's more pride and celebration than fear," said Jane Sohlich, a Starbucks manager marching in the parade with a rainbow heart on her cheek. "The community feels a responsibility to be empowered and come together now more than ever. We're showing support for the victims and marching without fear."

About 150 groups lined up to start the parade at 11 a.m. Pride Northwest President James Waldner estimated 8,000 people would be marching.

Per tradition, the parade takes place a week after the Portland Rose Festival, and Waldner said the timing is significant.

"I'm glad the event is happening now," he said. "It's an overwhelming expression of love and tolerance, and that's what the community needs."

"We decided to make that sign because we don't want any more violence. That could've happened to anybody here." pic.twitter.com/cKHO6k2Raa — Talia Richman (@TaliRichman) June 19, 2016

Sunday's event had many of the traditional marks of a Pride Parade. There were rainbow flags, rainbow tutus and rainbow wigs. There were marching bands and massive crowds cheering them on as they moved toward the waterfront.

But it was impossible to miss what made this parade different. Hundreds held signs that said "We are Orlando" on one side, and "Love conquers hate" on the other. The signs had the names of the 49 people printed on them.

Some trucks drove through the parade with posters that said #OrlandoStrong. And people in the crowd said you could sense something special.

"There's way more emotional weight behind it this year," said 30-year-old John Maddalena. "And it feels better and more fantastic. It feels like a lot more of a community."

Before the Florida shooting, approximately 40 people had signed up to march with the Portland Community College group. On parade day, organizers estimated the group had grown to around 200.

"On Sunday, I got tons of emails from people wanting to know how to get more involved," said Becky Springer, coordinator of the Queer Resource Center at PCC Rock Creek. "It's one small way we can all stand up against hate. It's an opportunity for the whole community to stand with Orlando."

Near the beginning of the parade route, a group of four protesters yelled at people through a bullhorn. A wall of people holding the "We are Orlando" signs stood in front of them, and the parade stopped to respond: "We're here, we're queer, we're fabulous - get used to it."

"How much hate was put into that night was terrifying," says 8-year-old Silis Foster. It's Silis' first Pride Parade pic.twitter.com/o7JQLig57B — Talia Richman (@TaliRichman) June 19, 2016

Sunday was the first time Silis Foster ever attended a Pride Parade. After hearing about the events of last week, the 8-year-old struggled to find the right words to put on a poster.

"How much hate was put into that night was terrifying," Silis said. "That somebody could do that was really sad."

Silis eventually settled on: "We are Orlando. Let love rule."

- Talia Richman

trichman@oregonian.com

@TaliRichman