Hundreds of thousands due at European Gay Pride

by Virginie Grognou

MADRID (AFP) - Gays, lesbians and their supporters from all over Europe were set to gather in their hundreds of thousands here Saturday in a massive parade, as London and Paris also held their annual Gay Pride marches.

Europride 2007, which kicks off at 1600 GMT in the Spanish capital, marks the highlight of a week of events during which organisers expected a total of 2.5 million people, including 200,000 from abroad.

Some 40 floats, some of them from places such as Manchester, Marseille, Stockholm, Zurich, Italy and Turkey, were to take part in the colourful march through central Madrid under the slogan "Now Europe. Equality is possible."

Meanwhile, in Paris organisers said about 700,000 people turned out for the city's annual Gay Pride, which saw participants marching behind a banner reading "We will not compromise on equality."

The throng was made up of young people, couples and families as well as transvestites and drag queens in outrageous outfits, dancing to deafening music from the floats under the shadow of rainbow flags.

But amid the fun was a serious message -- to put pressure on the new government over its opposition to gay marriage.

The spokesman for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Association, Alain Perou, said the march -- attended by political figures from across the spectrum -- was not against the government, but intended to be "constructive."

"Dialogue with the majority must continue at all costs, even if difficult. And if one day we need to raise our voices, we know how to do it but this is not the time," he told AFP.

Elsewhere, organisers of London Pride were defiant in the face of increased security following Friday's foiled car bombs in the British capital, pressing ahead with a march expected to draw up to 500,000 people.

Security cordons forced a slight change in the route, but the event carried on as planned with London Mayor Ken Livingstone among those enjoying the party.

"I think people are completely safe to walk about the streets of London today and tomorrow," he told BBC radio ahead of the march.

"I have promised my family all week that we are all going on the Gay Pride march. We will all be there."

Spain is at the forefront of equality legislation, introducing gay marriage and gay adoption rights in July 2005 and, since March, allowing transsexuals to legally change their gender without having a sex change operation.

Campaigners there hope Saturday's Europride, an event which began in London in 1993, will help them hold up Spain as an example to other European countries.

Homosexual rights are "still regularly flouted in Russia and Poland," said Antonio Poveda, president of the Spanish Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals.

Europride is also a chance for Spain to celebrate 30 years since its first gay rights protests took place, two years after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

Most European countries have some kind of Gay Pride event, but often at different times of the year. Last weekend saw 1,000 people turn out in Athens, while Stockholm, home to Europride 2008, has its event on August 4.

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A young man takes part in the Gay Pride parade in London. Britain ratcheted its security threat level up to "critical" Saturday, the highest possible, after a burning car was driven into Glasgow airport and following a foiled double car bombing in London.(AFP/Leon Neal)

People take part in EuroPride parade in central Madrid June 30, 2007. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

A woman draws the female sign on another woman's chest during EuroPride parade in central Madrid June 30, 2007. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Participants display a giant rainbow flag during EuroPride parade in central Madrid June 30, 2007. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Participants dance during EuroPride parade in central Madrid June 30, 2007. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Men poses during the Gay Pride Parade in Paris. Gays, lesbians and their supporters from all over Europe were set to gather in their hundreds of thousands here Saturday in a massive parade, as London and Paris also held their annual Gay Pride marches.(AFP/Jean Ayissi)

People gather in the streets during the Gay Pride Parade in Paris. Gays, lesbians and their supporters from all over Europe were set to gather in their hundreds of thousands here Saturday in a massive parade, as London and Paris also held their annual Gay Pride marches.(AFP/Mehdi Fedouach)

Participants kiss for the camera during EuroPride parade in central Madrid June 30, 2007. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Men pose as they parade through Paris during the Pride Parade, formerly known as the Gay Pride Parade , Saturday, June 30, 2007 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michael Sawyer)