every year, an estimated half a million people attended rio's gay pride parade where participants dressed in drag and carnival costumes while dj's played and carnival floats entertained the onlookers - each year's parade has a different theme, a recent one was 'the heart has no prejudice, it has love' marchers participate to both have a good time and to make a statement for equality and tolerance.

the million-people parade moves along rio's copacabana's beach lane and ends at cross-street avenida princesa isabela.

figures estimate that 1 out of every 6 rio residents attend the parade each year, which, including all the foreigners and tourists, makes for one big party.