Pride celebrations draw millions worldwide

Since their start in 1969in New York City, Pride parades have played a pivotal part in the development of the LGBT community. Today,Pride parades have expanded far from New York andare held in many cities around the world.

Nicaragua

Thiscolourfulparade-goertakes part in a Pridecelebrationin Managua, Nicaragua.The countrydecriminalized homosexuality in 2008, but gay marriage still isn't recognized in Nicaragua.

Romania

These participantsare listeningto speeches atBucharest Pride, whichheld its 12th event this year. News reports said itattracted a record 2,500 participants.During the years of communist rule, before 1989, homosexuality was a crime, and it is still not widely accepted among many Romanian people.Many gays there avoiddisclosingtheir sexual orientation to avoid discrimination.

Philippines

Members of the LGBT community carry a huge rainbow flag to celebrate the annual Pride Marchin Manila. Several LGBT organizations there are calling for the passage of an anti-discrimination bill that they say would protect the LGBT community.

Israel

The Peacefloat passed by during the Gay Pride parade in Tel Aviv on June 3. The parade attracted well over 100,000 members of the LGBT community and its supporters.

India

Members of India's LGBT community hold a rainbow flag during a parade in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi. A walk was also organized to demand social acceptance and equal rights.

U.K.

Participants in the Pride London parade show their support for the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Matthew Barzunand Mayor Sadiq Khan were among the many whotook part in the celebration.

Chile

Santiago, Chile, held its16thannual Pride celebrationon June 25to mark the upcoming International Gay Pride Dayand to honour the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. Marchers are also demanding laws in favour of same-sex marriage and gender identity.

Mexico

Thousands of people marchdown Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico Cityfor one of the largest Pride events in Latin America.

New York

Tina Hitscherich surprises a police officer with a kiss during the NYC Pride parade on June 26. Just days before on June 24, U.S. President Barack Obama designated a monument at the site of the Stonewall riots in New Yorkto honour the strides taken for LGBT equality.

Idaho

Thousands gather at Capitol Park in Boise, Idaho, for the annualPrideFestrally and parade on June 18. The event is in its 26th year.

Michigan

Around a hundred people come together to form a giantflag during the Grand Rapids Pride Festival at Ah Nab Awen Park in Grand Rapids, Mich., on June 18. Although now legal, gay marriage had significant opposition in Michigan.

Louisiana

Participants march in the New Orleans Prideparade through Bourbon Street on June 18. Louisiana was one of the last states to legalize gay marriage.

Peru

Lima's parade was full of rainbow flags and multi-coloured balloons. Saturday's march marked the event's 15th anniversary.Last year, the Peruvian Congress rejected a bill that would have allowed same-sex civil unions.Congress member Carlos Bruce, who introduced the bill and recently came out as gay, joined the parade.

Toronto

Thousandstook to the streets ofdowntown Toronto for the city's Pride parade on Sunday. Among those marchingwas Justin Trudeau, who became the first sitting prime minister to take part in the parade.