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.”