SAO PAULO, Brazil: Millions packed central Sao Paulo for the city's 11th annual gay pride parade, dancing and waving rainbow flags in a carnival-like atmosphere as they condemned homophobia, racism and sexism.
At least 3 million people filled the canyonlike Paulista Avenue, organizers said, surpassing last year's count of 2.5 million. A police spokesman who is not authorized to be quoted by name under department rules confirmed the larger turnout.
"This is the biggest parade on the planet," Tourism Minister Marta Suplicy said. "Our city is showing, once again, its respect for diversity."
We want people to address machismo, racism and homophobia ... which still exists in Brazil," Nelson Matias Pereira, president of the parade told the official news agency Agencia Brasil, adding that many families took part.
On a five-day visit to Brazil, the world's most populous Catholic country, Pope Benedict attracted less than one million to listen to his calls to reinforce traditional family values.
Only one day before the gays took over the city, evangelicals held a "March for Jesus" event at which they found time to damn the gays. The Bigot Pride event drew a mere one million.
Sao Paulo, Brazil Gay News Politics Gay Pride Photo Homophobia Diversity
