Sao Paulo Celebrates Gay Pride with Huge Parade

SAO PAULO (AP) - Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians are streaming onto the streets of South America's biggest city to celebrate gay pride and urge an end to homophobia.

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and their supporters are participating in Sao Paulo's 16th annual gay pride parade on skyscraper-lined Avenida Paulista, in the heart of the city. Many wear extravagant costumes and dance to the beat of music blasting from more than a dozen sound trucks.

Organizers say they hope more than 3 million take part in Sunday's parade, which they say is among the biggest in the world.

Local news media say some 2,400 police and security guards are on hand for the event. No major problems have been reported.