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SLIDESHOW: Pride Parade Draws Hundreds of Thousands in Support of LGBT in Washington DC

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 25 2012 (IPS) - On Saturday, Jun. 9 2012, the annual Capital Pride Parade brought together hundreds of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people marching with their allies in the sunny streets of Washington DC.

The parade, winding its way from Dupont Circle to Thomas Circle, celebrates the spirit and strength of the LGBT communities and draws a bigger and more diverse crowd to the capital each year.

“I am always amazed by the diversity of the people who attend ­ age, ethnicity, gender, colour. It truly is a rainbow,” Missy Toms, director of external affairs for Capital Pride, told IPS.

“In addition to the groups you would expect to participate in the parade, we have local and national businesses, churches, politicians, schools, families and community groups marching,” Toms added.

The event, voted DC’s best parade by the residents of the Washington DC area, benefits from the participation of dozens of volunteers who help control the situation.

On the following day, the Capital Pride Festival brought together more than 200,000 people who showed their support to the LGBT community with different concerts and events taking place in front of the Capitol.

“Capital Pride is a chance for the entire community, gay or straight, to come together and celebrate who we are as one humanity.

I look forward to the legalization of gay marriage in all fifty states, that will be a celebration,” Toms told IPS.