UK, Europe celebrate gay pride

Neither rain nor the discovery of two car bombs could deter tens of thousands of people from lining London's streets on June 30 for gay pride. The march left Baker Street and made its way through the West End to Trafalgar Square where gays and lesbians and their friends partied and enjoyed music for the remainder of the day. London Mayor Ken Livingstone was joined by members of Parliament from the Labor and New Democrats took part in the pride festivities. Members of the Royal Navy and the Metropolitan Police marched in uniform. And, like pride marches throughout the world there were drag queens, club boys and leathermen. Europride this year was held in Madrid attracting crowds from throughout the continent. The four day festival which began on June 27 wrapped up June 30 with a giant parade featuring more than 40 floats. Same-sex marriage became legal in Spain in 2005 and since then some 10,000 gay and lesbian couples have wed. Gay Pride also was celebrated on June 30 in Paris.