The internet-based virtual world of ‘Second Life’, is holding its first ‘Gay Pride’ month, with events including a carnival, a date auction, gay prom and two massive parades that sync with the real-life Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco events. ‘Second Life’ is a downloadable game enabling its users, dubbed ‘Residents’, to interact with each other through avatars that move around the virtual world. Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialise, participate in individual or group activities, and create and trade items and services from one another. More than seven million accounts have been registered. The month’s events are taking place on the game’s ‘L-Word Island’, and are sponsored by ‘Altoids’ mints. A photo gallery of the Pride Parade and other events provided on the link below shows the extent of the product placement. Related links: www.flickr.com/photos/altoidian/ Ref: Towleroad, Second Life (m)