Thousands of people, braving heavy rains, lined 5th Avenue in downtown Manhattan for the 37th annual Heritage of Pride march Sunday.

This year's march paid special tribute to volunteers and activists who have worked to fight AIDS. It was 25 years ago this month that doctors first identified the disease.

The parade also comes as the state's highest court is deciding whether cities can legally issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and local civic activist and restaurateur Florent Morellet were chosen as this year's March Grand Marshals. The Honorary Grand Marshal spot is being filled by the Volunteers of AIDS Service Organizations.

At a news conference before the parade, Mayor Michael Bloomberg discussed the importance of HIV testing in the fight against AIDS, and he also joined the march with officials.

Many politicians braved the rain to march. Senator Hillary Clinton posed with parade goers and Attorney General Candidate Mark Green showed off his latest dance moves.

As the parade got underway downtown, the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights hosted its annual Pride Service. Today's service honors gay pride week and the march. The church hosted a guest preacher from San Francisco, Reverend Yvette Flunder, who is renowned for her message of inclusion.

Source: Xinhua