EuroPride hits London
2006-07-01 22:36
London - About 40 000 people turned out on the streets of a sun-drenched London on Saturday, for a parade marking the climax of one of Europe's largest gay and lesbian festivals.
Streets came alive with marchers, floats, dancers and bands as the EuroPride parade snaked its way through the heart of the British capital, along Oxford Street and Regent Street towards Trafalgar Square.
Led by a giant rainbow flag, the procession included Royal Navy sailors - who unlike their army and air force colleagues were given permission to march in uniform - the police, trade unions and human rights groups.
Dancers pranced alongside the floats in sparkling outfits complete with England flags - a salute to the national side's World Cup contest with Portugal later in the day.
"What this shows as we march through the city of London, one of the greatest cities on earth, is a city can be a wonderful place to live in with people of every race, religion and sexuality," said mayor Ken Livingstone.
Organisers were expecting up to 500 000 people for the parade and a rally in Trafalgar Square, followed by a star-studded variety show at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday.
Police put the parade turnout alone at 40 000.
EuroPride is a two-week festival held in a different European city every year.
Gay pride parades also took place in Toronto, Canada, and Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.
- AFP