Saturday, July 7, 2007

World's Biggest Gay Pride Parade

Sao Paulo hosts world's largest gay pride parade

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Millions of people packed the streets of Sao Paulo for what organizers said was the world's largest gay pride parade, dancing and waving rainbow flags in a carnival-like atmosphere to condemn homophobia, racism and sexism.

At least 3 million people filled the canyonlike Paulista Avenue on Sunday, organizers said, surpassing last year's count of 2.5 million. The larger count was confirmed by a police spokesman who is not authorized to be quoted by name under department rules.

"This is the biggest parade on the planet," Tourism Minister Marta Suplicy said. "Our city is showing, once again, its respect for diversity."

In comparison, recent gay pride parades in New York and San Francisco have drawn tens of thousands of people, and world gay pride day celebrations in Berlin in 2004 attracted between 200,000 and 500,000 participants.(AP)



Participants kiss each other during the annual Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Sunday,
A participant takes a photo during the annual Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Sunday
Activists take part in the 11th Gay Parade in Sao Paulo
housands march during the annual Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Sunday
Activists take part in the 11th Gay Parade in Sao Paulo June 10, 2007. An estimated 3 million gays, lesbians and transvestites paraded down the main avenue of Brazil's business capital Sao Paulo on Sunday, showing their pride in a blaze of color and festive music, organizers said. REUTERS

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