Birmingham Gay Pride Parade

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(Gallery by Mark Almond | malmond@al.com)

-- Five Points South burst into colorful festivity this evening, as hundreds gathered for the

in

and 2013's Pride Week.

Participants--young, old, couples and best friends--stood, danced and marched united with this year's motto: "Keep Calm and Show Pride."

"It's our general attitude this year," said Don Mills, treasurer of Central Alabama Pride. "People show their pride however they choose to; however they feel comfortable being themselves in public."

Mills' message rang true, exemplified by the wide variety of individuals who showed up in support of the message. They came in all shapes and sizes, in varying degrees of dress and costume. Some, adorned with the traditional LGBT rainbow flag, stood at the corner of Highland Ave. with a poster board and a message.

"Honk for gays."

Others, dressed in drag, waved and paused for pictures with those in the crowd.

Families with children--including a few of them LGBT couples--lined the streets of Five Points, sharing the message with Birmingham's youths.

After all, said Mills, today's parade wasn't only for the LGBT community; it was open to the greater-Birmingham public as well.

"We're walking to reach out to our community of friends," said Mills, "to show people that gays are no different than anyone else, that we deserve the same rights."

The camaraderie displayed today among the large variety of people, he added, would hopefully at least inspire the public to take a second and think twice.

"If one person sees us today and says, 'Hmm, I never thought about it like that before.'" he said, "We've accomplished a great thing."

Churches, city groups and national organizations also joined Saturday evening's parade, some coming as far away as Tuscaloosa and Atlanta to take part.

"We're here today to remind our community, to let people know that we are proud of who we are," said Ron Collins, member of Covenant Community Church.

Standing under his parade float banner message--"Committed to sharing God's unconditional love"--Collins explained that his church is welcoming of all individuals, straight or gay, regardless.

"We are here to spread the message that we care about each other," he said, "to share the message of Christ's love for everybody with anyone we meet."

The church's senior pastor, the Rev. J.R. Finney II, said today's parade was a progressive reflection of the Stonewall Riots in New York that began in June of 1969.

"We have taken what was once a condemnation," said Finney, "and turned it into a celebration. It's an opportunity to affirm who we were created to be."

State Rep. Patricia Todd, the first openly gay elected official in Alabama, was also present at today's event.

"I'm glad to be with my family here today," said Todd, as she put the finishing touches on the convertible she would ride in, "to celebrate our diversity and commitment to love."

Todd, who said she enjoyed seeing the different ways people chose to show their own pride, said her involvement in Alabama politics did not influence the way she chose to show hers.

"I've gone to pride parades all my life," she said. "That's just who I am."

Hundreds more will have a chance to celebrate their own identities as this year's Pride Week comes to a close at Pridefest Sunday at Sloss Furnaces from noon until 10 p.m.

For more on Pride Week 2013, click