Rio de Janeiro - More than 800,000 people participated in Sunday's gay pride parade in Rio de Jainero along the famous Copacabana Beach. Politicians such as Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral and tens of thousands tourists were among the revelers at the 12th annual parade.

Despite the relatively cool temperatures many participants were scantily clad as they danced to samba music and waved the rainbow flag.

The celebrations also took on a serious note, with a call to Brazil's congress for a bill against homophobia, same sex-marriage the right for sexual self-determination.

According to human rights groups in Brazil up to 2,582 homosexuals have been murdered in the past 10 years.

"If we don't make progress in these matters our democracy will never consolidate," said Cabral.

In June, more than 3.5 million crammed into the streets of Sao Paulo9s business district for the world's largest gay pride parade.

Sunday's celebrations in Rio were organized by Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transvestites (GLBT) as well as the Ministry of Health and the city Rio.

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