Amsterdam turn into one big party for gay pride

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

AMSTERDAM (AFP) — Tens of thousands of people thronged Amsterdam Saturday to watch the city's biggest-ever parade of homosexuals floating flamboyantly down the historic canals in dazzling style.

In a festive atmosphere the streets lining the canals and the bridges over them overflowed with members of the gay community, residents, tourists, party-goers and curious onlookers.

Disco music pumped from the 80 boats passing through the canals in a four-hour spectacle that involved plenty of glistening male torsos, bikinis, glitter, feathers and boas.

Restaurants and cafe's in the vicinity were decorated with pink balloons, alcohol flowed freely and the smell of marijuana hung in the air.

A clear crowd favourite was a boatload of men in tight leather shorts...