PORTLAND (WGME)– Pride month reached its apex here in Portland as thousands marched through downtown this afternoon.

After a two years hiatus, this year’s celebration means a lot to a community no longer afraid to speak out.

With rainbows in hand, and everywhere else, thousands marched through downtown Portland Saturday in celebration of pride.

Avery Friend was participating in the event and said, “Seeing so many people out here to celebrate and find joy in queerness in the community is really, really powerful.”

Another Portland resident Corey Hascall said, “We want to be loving and supportive and help our friends and neighbors and be good allies so that’s what pride means to me.”

Pride events mean so much to so many. Sharing messages of love to those who may need it, to those who still fear the response of being who they are.

One person sharing the story of their first march here in Portland more than a decade ago.

“It changed my life. I never marched before and didn’t know this existed. And then i turned the corner and there were thousands of people cheering for me and it changed my life. It’s been very affirming for me as an lgbtq person,” said Gia Drew the Executive Director of Equality Maine.

An important message being shared by many today, pride has not always been something to be celebrated.

“Born in the 60’s, grew up in the 70’s there was really no visibility around being lgbtq. I think this year alone there are 17 different pride events all across Maine,” said Drew.

“I can remember when I was a little kid, this wasn’t accepted. It’s wonderful we’ve come this far as a nation that we can accept one another and just be there for one another,” said Jessa Bearor from Limington.

A fight for visibility and equality that many say is not over.

Eevie Wynters the parades organizer said, “Just showing that, especially in the face of fear with the stuff that’s going on. We will not be silenced. We will stand up and we will just be ourselves. We exist and we deserve to exist.”