Showing Pride in St. Pete

St. Petersburg - The streets of St. Pete were full of people showing pride Saturday.

It may have been one of the biggest gay turnouts in state history.

Packed with motorcycles, floats and beads, the St. Pete Pride Parade hit the streets.

"It's a great place to be every year. Just come out, be yourself without having to hide who you are," says Jessy Ryer. She was at the event with her partner of almost a year.

People from all over the southeast wore their colors proudly.

Jezi Steffen and her partner were riding a motorcycle in the parade.

She says they tied the knot last month, even though Florida law prohibits gay marriages.

"You want to share that moment with somebody. We didn't need a piece of paper to get married. As far as our eyes could see, we're going to be in love forever," says Steffen.

Event organizers say 7,000 people attended the first annual gay parade in St. Pete.

This year it was more like 75,000.

"It's about everybody coming together to celebrate the cultures and the diversity in our culture. And to really recognize the value that all people bring to our community," says Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner.

Beckner and his partner help put together the parade. He is the region's first openly gay elected official.

"It would be great if one day we can see this on the Tampa side, but until then you know we're just going to celebrate the culture on this side and again bring everybody together," says Beckner.

Saturday’s celebration didn't come without some conflict.

Dozens of anti-gay protesters marched the streets before the parade.

It's an opinion many gay people disagree with.

"More people need to come out and support who we are. Instead of hiding in the shadows," says Ryer.

A couple of smaller gay and lesbian events were cancelled earlier this year because of the economy.

Atlanta normally holds the southeast’s larges pride parade.

It was postponed this year because of the severe drought in Georgia.