BERLIN (AP) — Tens of thousands of people are taking part in Cologne's annual gay pride parade, with many paying tribute to the victims of the attack on a Florida nightclub last month.

Some held placards with the words "We are Orlando" while 49 rainbow flags were hung at half-mast to symbolize those killed in the attack.

Sunday's Christopher Street Day parade is one of the biggest LGBT events in Germany and was first held 25 years ago to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York.