Homosexuals and their supporters have filled the main avenue in Sao
Paulo, Brazil, for an annual Gay Parade that organisers claim is the biggest in
the world with an estimated three million participants.
The colourful procession took place on Sunday under a bright sky, with
floats blaring techno music bedecked with gym-hard bodies in swimsuits and
dancing transvestites.
Gay rights groups say although Brazil is a relatively open society in
terms of homosexuality, 198 gays were killed last year in homophobic attacks.
The gay pride association running the parade said that since it started
in 1997, the event has become the biggest gay parade in the world, outdoing
celebrations in San Francisco and Sydney.
The Sao Paulo parade is financed by the state government with
sponsorship from Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras.
