Big crowd turns out for colorful gay pride parade in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO – Tens of thousands of people have celebrated at Rio de Janeiro’s annual gay pride parade at Copacabana beach.

Under a blazing sun, revelers wearing feathery costumes and wigs held up rainbow flags and danced along the promenade Sunday as music blasted from a half dozen sound trucks.

Organizers said this year’s parade was focusing on passing legislation in Brazil that would allow adults to legally change their gender on identity documents and eliminate bureaucracy involved in sex reassignment surgery.

The event saw periodic scuffles as police chased thieves who targeted the large crowd to steal golden chains and cellphones. At one point beachgoers watching the parade grabbed one suspect and beat him.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.