By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GREENWICH VILLAGE — Thousands of people lined the streets of lower Manhattan waving rainbow flags to watch colorful floats and dancing marchers in the annual Gay Pride March on Sunday.
The 39th annual march, which started in Midtown and ended in the Village capped a week-long celebration of gay awareness and gay rights in New York City.
"I'm here celebrating pride and not being shameful," said Kevin Braga, 29, from Washington Heights, who said he had been coming to the parade for years.
He was also looking forward to seeing some hot men, he added.
One parade-goer showed his love for Lady Gaga across his bare torso, where the words "I (heart) Lady Gaga" were scrawled in red and black lettering.
As if in response, Manhattan's pop superstar sent a shout-out to the parade on Twitter.
"For all the words you've shot, and all the tears we've cried, here's to New York City, and our very Gay Pride!" Lady Gaga tweeted.
Politicians also turned out to celebrate pride. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson were there, as were City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
But Braga said that having the politicians, while a nice show of support, didn't mean that much in getting his vote.
"[Mayor] Bloomberg says a lot but then you see what he votes for," he said, echoing the views of many at the parade who said they were frustrated with the lack of progress on gay marriage issues in New York. "[His vote] is not always gay friendly."
The parade had three grand marshals: Lt. Dan Choi, an openly gay member of the National Guard and outspoken critic of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy; Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard who was murdered in 1998 for being gay; and Constance McMillen, a Mississippi high school student who sued after she wasn't allowed to bring her girlfriend to her prom.
The parade began in 1970 after the Stonewall Uprising, and has grown over the past 40 years.
Carmen Flores, who was there with her partner and their two children, said she was glad to see the growing numbers in the parade over the past decade since she's been attending.
"People have been more supportive and have become more accustom, more accepting [of gays]," she said. Her favorite part of the parade was the floats with dancers on them.
"We love to dance," she said as her daughters shook rainbow flags from their strollers. "I love anything with music."
