12 Incredibly Colorful Photos From Brazil’s Gay Pride Parade

This year’s theme was “There is no prejudice in our hearts, but love instead.”

1. The 17th annual Rio Gay Pride Parade took place Sunday at Copacabana Beach.

His sign reads, “I have the right to be gay and to be a Christian.”

Image by Christophe Simon / AFP / Getty Images

2. The theme was “There is no prejudice in our hearts, but love instead.”

According to an article by the BBC, “266 people were killed in Brazil last year because of their sexual orientation,” and so in addition to fostering a sense of community and pride, the parade is also intended to raise awareness of the real problem of homophobia in Brazil.

Image by Christophe Simon / AFP / Getty Images

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4. There were over 1 million attendees and 15 enormous electric floats.

This transgender performer clearly wasn’t scared of heights.

Image by Christophe Simon / AFP / Getty Images

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Image by Christophe Simon / AFP / Getty Images

6. Miss Brazil Gay was there.

Back in 2009, the winner of the pageant had his wig snatched by a sore runner-up. No such drama seems to have plagued the competition this year.

7. And participants dressed in amazing multicolored costumes.

Even though it was around 80 degrees out.

Image by Christophe Simon / AFP / Getty Images

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Image by Christophe Simon / AFP / Getty Images