Music and marching as Gay Pride comes to London

LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) Thousands of gays, lesbians and transvestites from across Europe paraded through central London today to proudly state their sexuality.

Amid a fleet of gaudily decorated floats with blaring music, whistles and dancers the marchers flowed down the shopping magnet of Oxford Street, past Nelson's Column and down to the Houses of Parliament watched by the amused and the bemused.

''It has been great. Everyone was very accepting. There was no abuse, just support,'' Europride local organiser Emily told Reuters.

''This is a great public relations exercise for the gay and lesbian world.'' Organisers had hoped the blazing sunshine and the fact that the march did not clash with the England versus Portugal World Cup match would bring up to 500,000 onto the streets.

But police said in the end just 40,000 took part in the incident-free event whose theme was ''Pride against Prejudice''.

Last year's London Gay Pride march - an annual event in the city for more than 30 years - attracted some 250,000 people even though it coincided with the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park.

While pink was predominant today - including a forest of red, white and pink, instead of blue, Union Jacks - it was by no means the only colour in a kaleidoscopic show.

Costumes ranged from skimpy briefs to outfits evoking Brazil's Mardi Gras, with a scattering of cowboys, sailors, soldiers, police, fairies, goths and even everyday garb.

Banners declared ''Pride'' and urged people to come out of the closet and declare their sexuality, and there was even one declaring ''No to Islamophobia. No to homophobia''.

REUTERS SHR KP2112