It was a riot of colour as thousands of Melbournians celebrated the 13th Gay Pride march in St Kilda on Sunday. Loud Pride Crowd: Melbourne Pride Marchers More than 1,000 athletes from the Asia Pacific Outgames led the march and hundreds of people marching and on floats followed behind. Rainbow flags and ballons were held high as marchers made their way along Fitzroy St to a concert in Catani Gardens. A police band marched for the first time among many other arts, ethnic, religious, and sporting groups. Port Phillip mayor Janet Cribbes said the council had been proud to support the event since it started. "It's sad but true, prejudice against gays and lesbians still exist," she said. Martin Foley, the new member for Albert Park, relayed an important message from Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who said his government would "continue to march towards tolerance, respect and diversity". Float participant Max Primmer, in his 50s from Creswick, said the march was important because it brought the community together. "We're gay, we're proud to be gay and we're happy to show ourselves off for being gay," he said. Photos from Melbourne's Pride March can be viewed on the top link below.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 5th February 2008 - 8:22pm