West Hollywood Streets Swell With Gay Pride

WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of West Hollywood Sunday for the 43rd annual LA Pride Parade celebrating the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) communities.

The always-colorful parade began at 11 a.m. at Crescent Heights Boulevard, and continued west along Santa Monica Boulevard to Robertson.

Officials said an estimated 400,000 people lined the parade route.

A moment of silence was held at noon "to remember those who are no longer with us or cannot be here today, to celebrate those that fought for pride and the freedoms we now enjoy and to think of those who cannot celebrate pride and remain oppressed," according to parade organizers.

Maria Menounos, co-host of "Extra," was parade grand marshal, selected "for her dedication to the LGBT community and her continuing efforts using her platform for equality," organizers said.

"The LGBT Pride Parade represents something truly American," Menounos said. "It's a celebration of community, a celebration of uniqueness, diversity and progress and it's the celebration of a new United States where we do more than tolerate or accept our gay brothers and sisters, but embrace and celebrate them."

The parade has been held every year since 1970, except for 1973 when fighting over the tone of displays the previous two years left producers unable to put the show on the road, literally. The parade was held in Hollywood until 1979, when it moved to West Hollywood.

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