Unity, support, love: Queen City Pride Festival in full swing

Regina's 27th annual Queen City Pride Festival is in full swing.

The week-long event kicked off Monday morning with the rainbow pride flag being raised at Regina City Hall.

Festival co-chair Jesse Ireland said the event is bigger than ever with 40 events on this week. 

The celebration comes just a week after the tragic shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.

"We all were very shaken up by what happened in Orlando, but out of that there is a silver lining that the community has really grown strong together," Ireland said. "There is that sense of unity, and that sense of support and love stronger now than ever due to what's recently happened.

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"We're all excited to come together and join hands, not only in solidarity, but together as a community here in Regina and to get the excitement going again," Ireland said. 

There are some changes this year as a result of the Orlando tragedy. Last week, organizers said extra security be added at some festival events.

As well, the pride flag at City Hall is being flown at half mast.

There will be a memorial float right out front during Saturday's Pride Parade.

Find more on this year's Queen City Pride Festival here.