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KAREN: FULL OF HAPPINESS. >> HAPPY PRIDE. KAREN: A DAY OF HAPPINESS. >> BALTIMORE. KAREN: FOR THOUSANDS WHO CAME OUT TO CELEBRATE PRIDE IN BALTIMORE. INCLUDING, SISTER IVANA MANDALAY. >> IT’S THAT SENSE OF FREEDOM, BEING ABLE TO RALLY THE CROWD, GET THEM EXCITED FOR WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE. KAREN: MAYOR JACK YOUNG AND OTHER CITY LEADERS CAME OUT TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. YOUNG ALSO SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW AT THE EVENT REQUIRING ALL SINGLE-OCUPANCY BATHROOMS BE GENDER INCLUSIVE THE THEME THIS YEAR IS UNITY AND DIVERSITY. THE LGBT COMMUNITY IS ONE OF MANY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY. TO CELEBRATE OUR EXISTENCE, OUR RIGHT TO EXIST OF IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. KARE SISTER RUTH SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON TRANS WOMEN HOMICIDES. ESPECIALLY IN OUR CITY AND MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THAT SHOULD BE OUR AIM. TO AND TRANS FEMALE OF COLOR HOMICIDES. KARE THE ORGANIZER HOPES PEOPLE WALK OVER WITH THIS. THAT WE ARE ALL HUMAN. AND WE DESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AUTHENTICALLY AND PEACEFULLY AS WE SO CHOOSE. >> PEOPLE, FOR SO LONG, HAVE HAD TO HIDE IN THE CLOSET. NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK THEIR VOICE. I THINK IT IS GREAT TO SEE EVERYBODY OUT HERE TODAY. KAREN: THIS EVENT CONTINUES TOMORROW. PEOPLE DOWN HERE SAYS THEY THINK THIS EVENT GETS BETTER

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Baltimore Pride celebrated diversity over the weekend with a parade and a festival.Baltimore's pride celebration is one of the oldest in the country. What began as a small rally of about a dozen activists in 1975 has grown to more than 30,000 people all coming together for a day of love, peace and pride."It's that sense of freedom, being able to rally the crowd, get them excited for who they are, where they are and what they are," said Sister Ivana Mandalay.The parade started at 1 p.m. Saturday at North Charles and 33rd streets and went for 11 blocks south to 23rd Street.Baltimore Mayor Jack Young and other city leaders came out to show their support. Young also signed a bill into law at the event to require all single-occupancy bathrooms be gender inclusive.The theme of this year's event was unity and diversity."The LGBTQ community is one of many marginalized communities in this city, so to celebrate our existence, our right to exist, it's incredibly important for us to do," said Sister Ruth, with Charm City Sisters.Sister Ruth said there needs to be more focus on transgender women homicides."I think in our city and cities across the country, that should be our aim to end trans female of color homicide," she said.Organizer Sean Smith said he hopes people walk away knowing "that we're all human, that's the only thing I hope individuals take away. We are all human and we deserve the right to live authentically and peacefully as we so choose.""So many people, for so long, have had to hide in the closet and not be able to speak their voice, and I think it's great to see everybody out today," Mandalay said.The pride festival started at noon Sunday at Druid Hill Park between Swann Drive and the Sundial Pavilion. It featured a kid-friendly event with music and entertainment stages, a drag stage, exhibitors and food trucks.Road Closure information for Baltimore PrideThe Baltimore City Department of Transportation released the following on the traffic modifications in effect for the Baltimore Pride Parade. The parade will kick off from the intersection of Charles and 33rd Street and proceed south along Charles Street to end at 23rd Street.In preparation for the event, the following streets will be closed to through traffic on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. (until clear):Art Museum Drive from Wyman Park Drive to N. Charles Street. N. Charles Street from 33rd Street to 31st Street.The remainder of the parade route along Charles Street between 31st and 23rd Streets will close to through traffic at 12:45 p.m. Motorists should be advised that temporary traffic stops will be implemented during this time for the safety of parade participants. Baltimore City Police & Transportation Enforcement Officers will assist with traffic control and allow motorists to pass through breaks in the parade when possible, but citizens should expect delays if traveling in this vicinity. Parking will be restricted along the parade route during the hours of the event.In addition to the parade, the Baltimore Pride Block Party will also be held on Saturday. In preparation for the event, the following streets will be closed to through traffic starting at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019 through 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2019:N. Charles Street between North Avenue and 23rd Street. 20th Street between Maryland Avenue and St. Paul Street. 21st Street between Maryland Avenue and St. Paul Street. 22nd Street between Maryland Avenue and St. Paul Street.Parking will also be restricted in these areas during these times. Motorists traveling in this vicinity should be on the watch for pedestrians and are encouraged to use alternate routes.