BRAZIL:An estimated three million gays, lesbians and transvestites paraded peacefully down the main avenue of Brazil's business capital Sao Paulo on Sunday, to condemn homophobia, racism and machismo, organisers said.
"This is the biggest parade on the planet. Our city is again showing that it respects diversity," said minister for tourism Marta Suplicy. The Sao Paulo Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transvestites Parade Association said warm temperatures of 31 degrees helped draw more than last year's 2½ million marchers and more than the estimated one million who turned out recently to greet the pope.
Military police estimated that some one million people jammed into the skyscraper-lined Avenida Paulista, but there were many more in surrounding streets. Some 900 officers were on duty to help maintain order.
During the parade, bands played on 23 "trios eletricos" or huge trucks, with their music blasted from massive loudspeakers. Marchers, many wearing feather costumes, unfurled a giant rainbow-coloured flag.
"I'm proud to parade . . . here there's no violence only fun," said José Alves Filho, a 42-year-old hairdresser.
Sponsors included Brazil's state energy firm Petrobras and the state-owned Caixa Economica Federal bank.
The parade, which was officially sanctioned for the first time, attracted some 300,000 Brazilian and foreign visitors. A study this year by consumer research consultants Insearch found that Brazilian gays were above-average wage earners, and spent 40 per cent more on leisure than heterosexuals.
