(credit: Alex Ciarrocchi)
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The 24th annual Pride parade drew thousands of people to Center City on Sunday for a light-hearted celebration of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered community.
The parade featured the shenanigans of acts such as “Cirque du so gay” and the ICandy dancers but even at its most colorful, the parade has gotten continuously less provocative over the years as the LGBT community has gained increasing acceptance.
“There are as many straight people here as there are gay people,” said one parade-goer. “It’s become mainstream.”
There’s no better indication, perhaps, than President Obama’s endorsement of same sex marriage — which some parade-goers hoped would bring more acceptance in the African-American community.
“There’s more too an acceptance of the way society is viewing everything that makes everyone else want to be more comfortable and live their lifestyle as they please.”
No matter how mainstream the LGBT community gets, spectators hoped the parade would go on.
“In many ways this is a celebration not just for the LGBT community, it’s a celebration for everybody, especially right here on Independence Mall.”
MOST VIEWED GALLERIES
- PHOTOS: Angelina Jolie Through The Years
- PHOTOS: Celebrity Infidelity Scandals
- PHOTOS: Celebrity Birthdays: May
- PHOTOS: Top 20 Most Hated Hollywood Celebrities
- PHOTOS: Celebrity Photobombs



Most Romantic US Honeymoon...
GHI @Home - Metal Shingle /...
Athletes We Wish Stayed In...
Tiger Woods At The US Open At...
Final Round: The U.S. Open At...
Baseball Shots Of The Week –...
Behind the Scenes: TP...
Orr At The Shore 2013
NCC Retro-Rama Party
The Philadelphia Diamonds Of...
11th Annual Gary Papa 5K Run-...
2013 US Open At Merion
Storm Photos: June 13, 2013
WIP Morning Show Father's Day...
US Open At Merion Practice...
Julius Erving Through The...







