British PM's wife joins 1000s at gay pride parade

Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown meets gay rights campaigner a Peter Tatchell, right, as she joined more than half a million marchers and other supporters in the gay pride parade through London Saturday July 4, 2009.AP Photo

Revelers kiss during the Gay Pride parade in Madrid, Saturday, July 4, 2009. AP Photo

A participant looks on at the roadside as the London landmark Big Ben, is seen at right during an annual gay parade organized by Pride London, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender charity, in central London, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Participants marched through central London streets with colorful floats, and enjoy performances on stages set up in squares.AP Photo

Sarah Brown, the wife of Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown joins the march during the annual gay parade organized by Pride London, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender charity, in central London, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Participants marched through central London streets with colorful floats, and enjoy performances on stages set up in squares. AP Photo

A participant of the annual Gay pride Rainbow Parade poses in downtown Vienna, Austria, Saturday, July 4, 2009.AP Photo

LONDON – The wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined thousands of revelers in London's annual gay pride march.

Sarah Brown held a red, white and pink version of the Union Jack as the noisy parade wound through the city center before a rally and concert in Trafalgar Square.

Everyone from drag queens to firefighters and soldiers in uniform joined the parade, organized by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.

Earlier, organizers met the Browns outside 10 Downing St.

The prime minister said Britain had made "massive strides towards equality," including the introduction of civil partnerships for gay couples. These have the same legal status as marriage, but some campaigners want the word marriage to apply to both gay and straight couples.

(Agencies)