The San Francisco Pride celebration was marred by an act of violence last year when an innocent bystander was hit by gunfire as two groups of men argued. The man fortunately survived, and we learn today via The Bay Area Reporter that a San Francisco judge has ruled that the man's lawsuit against festival organizers can move forward.

Shooting victim Freddy Atton alleges that festival organizers failed to provide adequate safety measures for the event, and that a lack of security led directly to his shooting. The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee attempted to have the lawsuit thrown out on the grounds that Atton was attempting to shut down their free speech, but the judge didn't buy it.

"[Atton] alleges that defendant’s lack of security at its celebration caused his injuries from gun shots," wrote San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Ulmer on Wednesday. "Plaintiff is not basing liability on defendant’s constitutional free speech.”

Atton had fought for metal detectors and bag screening at this year's celebration, but was unsuccessful as organizers argued they couldn't pull such measures together in time. However, as BAR notes, following the Orlando shooting organizers did a 180 and implemented metal detectors and bag searches after all.

The increased security may have paid off — this was the first year in a few that there wasn't a shooting of some sort at Pride.

With Ulmer's ruling, Atton's lawsuit against Pride can move forward.

Previously: Video: One Injured In Shooting At Civic Center Pride Celebration [Updated]