Vic: Buoyant crowd celebrates gay pride

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2009
Vic: Buoyant crowd celebrates gay pride

By Katie Bradford

MELBOURNE, Feb 1 AAP - Young and old, gay and straight, male and female plus everyone
in between, flocked to Melbourne's St Kilda on Sunday to celebrate gay pride and diversity.

The 14th annual pride march, with the theme of "Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights",
was attended by an estimated 50,000, despite the sweltering temperatures.

The biggest cheer of the day was saved for Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine
Nixon, who led the gay police contingent.

Ms Nixon made history in 2002 when she became the first commissioner to lead the Victoria
Police float.

To cheers of "Christine", rapturous applause and whistle-blowing, Ms Nixon thanked
the crowd at the parade at a function after the parade for their support during her tenure
in the state's top cop,

Ms Nixon will stand down from the job at the end of March.

"I wanted the opportunity to come back with a chance to say thank you to all of you,"

Ms Nixon said.

She received a standing ovation and returned to the stage to repeat her thanks.

Deputy Premier Rob Hulls fronted a contingent of Labor MPs and supporters, while more
colourful floats, included men dressed up as nuns, "Dykes on Bikes", cross-dressers in
hula skirts and men wearing just underwear and carrying a doll of Ms Nixon on a pedestal.

Unions, city councils, family and medical groups also had floats in the popular parade.

As Victorian Attorney-General, Mr Hulls received massive support for his role in leading
changes to Victoria's human rights legislation.

"Today is all about respect, about building a community where we all have respect for
each other and where every single person in our community is valued," Mr Hulls told the
parade-goers.

The party continued in St Kilda with a free concert.

AAP kb/jrd/it/de

KEYWORD: PRIDE

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.