UFT President Michael Mulgrew tells those assembled how the long-planned kickoff celebration for Gay Pride Week took on new meaning after the Orlando nightclub shooting.

More than 200 members gathered at union headquarters to show unity with the LGBT community after the shootings in Florida that took 49 lives.

UFT Queens Borough Representative Rona Freiser and UFT Director of Parent and Community Outreach Anthony Harmon hosted the event, which had been planned before the events in Orlando but became a symbol of solidarity with the victims and their families.

At the event to show their support to the cause are (from left) Paraprofessional Representative Yolanda Loder-Taitt, Chapter Leader Dennis Gault and delegate Nicole Connolly, all from PS 19 in Manhattan; and special education teacher Marissa Becher from the Future Leaders Institute Charter School in Manhattan.

Rabbi Michael Feinberg of the Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition predicted “an outpouring of all that is best in us” to counter homophobia, racism and religious intolerance.

AFT President Randi Weingarten says of the event, “What an amazing journey for this union. I thank you personally and professionally.”

Rev. Bernard Brown, the chaplain of the Creedmoor Addiction Treatment Center: “Love is for everyone. That’s what you’re teaching today.”

Members came from all over the city in a show of solidarity.