In the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting, security will be ramped up at this weekend's Pride March in Manhattan which organizers expect will be the largest ever.
The NYPD says it will be deploying both uniformed and plainclothes officers with a special focus on anti-terrorism.
The department says there will also be radiation and explosive detection on hand.
At a security briefing Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio reassured New Yorkers that they have nothing to fear and that there is no direct threat to the parade.
"This year we have an obligation to our nation in the wake of Orlando to show what pride and exclusion looks like and the whole city will be celebrating and standing up for our LGBT community," De Blasio said.
"The worst thing we could do as a community is to hide. Many of us started in closets and the last thing any of us should do is go back into them. And that's what this weekend is really about is going out and showing our pride," said NYC Pride Co-chair David Studinski.
The march begins Sunday at noon on 36th Street. It will head down Fifth Avenue to 8th Street then turns west along Christopher Street, ending at Greenwich Street in the Village.
NY1 has also learned exclusively that Barbara Poma, the owner of the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, will ride on the lead float in Sunday's march.
The names of the 49 victims who were killed at the club will also be read and a moment of silence will be held.
Poma and the club’s entertainment manager also will address a kickoff rally Friday night.
The city police department claims 1.6 million people attended last year's Pride March, and even more are expected this year.
Last year's event saw a record turnout, in part due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision just days earlier declaring same-sex marriage legal.
Those who spoke with NY1 say while still celebratory, this year's march will have a more somber tone as Sunday marks two weeks since 49 people were killed and over 50 others injured in the terror attack.
"I think that there's naturally some concern but I'm not gonna let it stop me from celebrating what we should be celebrating," said one New Yorker.
"I think it's important to come and celebrate anyway. And the NYPD works really close with that organization. They're always really supportive and they're really, really great to work with," said another New Yorker.
This year, there will be a special NYPD vehicle along the parade route that will feature rainbow decals.
The department says it will not respond to any emergencies and will strictly be there for public relations.
Update Friday, June 24, 2016: Poma has announced she will not participate in the Pride March on Sunday. Her spokeswoman says the club's entertainment manager will be riding the lead float in her place.