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BRIGHTON Pride is one of the biggest of the LGBTQ+ festivals this summer, and it kicked off today to a roaring success.

Tens of thousands of revellers dressed in rainbow colours and elaborate costumes and descended on the seaside city to ask for equality for all.

The infamous rainbow flag makes it way from the Brighton Pier into the streets
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The infamous rainbow flag makes it way from the Brighton Pier into the streets
A man dressed head to toe in gold and glitter joins the march
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A man dressed head to toe in gold and glitter joins the marchCredit: Rex Features
Two colourfully-clad revellers carry umbrellas in case it rains
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Two colourfully-clad revellers carry umbrellas in case it rainsCredit: Rex Features
An ariel photo shows the sheer size of the crowd
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An ariel photo shows the sheer size of the crowd

It was a colourful sight as crowds marched through the streets of Brighton with huge floats in tow.

The annual parade first started in 1972 with a gay demonstration and then in 1973 with the first official gay Pride march.

Today's march marked the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots.

The symbol of the event - a rainbow coloured flag - made its way from the beachfront to the streets.

The infamous LGBT pride flag has become a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride and social movements.

Festivities began as usual at 11am at Hove Lawns on the seafront and then passed easterly along Kings Road on the seafront turning left up West Street.

It then went past the clock tower up Queens Road before turning right down North Road and then up Gloucester Place and London Road finishing in Preston Park.

Brighton isn't the only city to celebrate equality and LGBTQ+ rights today as Belfast also took part in less sunny conditions.

This man strikes a pose in a revealing skin-coloured leotard complete with balloons
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This man strikes a pose in a revealing skin-coloured leotard complete with balloonsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Two Parade-goers adorn their costumes with words for equality
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Two Parade-goers adorn their costumes with words for equalityCredit: PA:Press Association
A Pride reveller dressed in colourful streamers takes a quick break from the parade
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A Pride reveller dressed in colourful streamers takes a quick break from the paradeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

 

One woman douses herself in gold glitter for the occasion
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One woman douses herself in gold glitter for the occasionCredit: Alamy Live News
Balloons and floats fill Brighton's main strip
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Balloons and floats fill Brighton's main stripCredit: Alamy Live News
Flag-waving punters take to the streets in bright pink and blue leotards
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Flag-waving punters take to the streets in bright pink and blue leotardsCredit: PA:Press Association
Rock and roll: A diamante-studded float participant fixes their wig ahead of the day's event
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Rock and roll: A diamante-studded float participant fixes their wig ahead of the day's eventCredit: Alamy Live News
A chiselled young man walks alongside a friend with his dog in tow during the parade
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A chiselled young man walks alongside a friend with his dog in tow during the paradeCredit: Alamy Live News
Ahoy! Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to take part in this years event over the weekend
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Ahoy! Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to take part in this years event over the weekendCredit: Alamy Live News
One of the thousands who took part in lining the streets in the annual Parade
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One of the thousands who took part in lining the streets in the annual ParadeCredit: Alamy Live News
Nestle employees wave flags from a float to show their support
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Nestle employees wave flags from a float to show their supportCredit: PA:Press Association
Stripey! This group of festival-goes opts for a striped theme in bright lycra onesies
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Stripey! This group of festival-goes opts for a striped theme in bright lycra onesiesCredit: Alamy Live News
A group of rainbow-clad women wait for the event to kick off
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A group of rainbow-clad women wait for the event to kick offCredit: Alamy Live News
People of all ages and backgrounds joined in to celebrate along the shorefront
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People of all ages and backgrounds joined in to celebrate along the shorefrontCredit: PA:Press Association
One cheeky Pride member sprays the crowd with a water gun
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One cheeky Pride member sprays the crowd with a water gunCredit: PA:Press Association
One man strikes a pose and enjoys the warm weather
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One man strikes a pose and enjoys the warm weatherCredit: Alamy Live News
A group of chiselled men prepare ahead of the celebrations
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A group of chiselled men prepare ahead of the celebrationsCredit: Alamy Live News
A conga line of roller skaters join in for the celebrations
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A conga line of roller skaters join in for the celebrationsCredit: Alamy Live News
An eldely parade-goer takes a breather and looks out to sea
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An eldely parade-goer takes a breather and looks out to seaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Time for a selfie: This group captures the moment on their phone
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Time for a selfie: This group captures the moment on their phoneCredit: PA:Press Association
Employees and friends of the Nestle UK & Ireland LGBT+ Network take part in a float
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Employees and friends of the Nestle UK & Ireland LGBT+ Network take part in a floatCredit: PA:Press Association
This fashionisha strikes a pose against a sunny Brighton backdrop
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This fashionisha strikes a pose against a sunny Brighton backdropCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The parade was a chance for many to exhibit stunning costumes and face makeup
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The parade was a chance for many to exhibit stunning costumes and face makeupCredit: Getty Images - Getty
A Pride reveller dressed in colourful streamers takes a quick break from the parade
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A Pride reveller dressed in colourful streamers takes a quick break from the paradeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
George Montague, now 96 years old and known as the Oldest Gay in the Village, joins the parade
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George Montague, now 96 years old and known as the Oldest Gay in the Village, joins the paradeCredit: Alamy Live News
The rainbow flag continues to make its way through the streets
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The rainbow flag continues to make its way through the streetsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Colourful headdressers and props dotted the parade
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Colourful headdressers and props dotted the parade
A giant rainbow Pride flag is carried along the sea front
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A giant rainbow Pride flag is carried along the sea frontCredit: Getty Images - Getty
A Belfast man in costume joins thousands who turned up to support the parade on Saturday
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A Belfast man in costume joins thousands who turned up to support the parade on SaturdayCredit: PA:Press Association
Many in the crowd brought umbrellas and wet weather gear as they watched members of the BBC march for the first time in the Belfast Pride parade
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Many in the crowd brought umbrellas and wet weather gear as they watched members of the BBC march for the first time in the Belfast Pride paradeCredit: PA:Press Association
Members of the PSNI and Irish Garda march through Belfast
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Members of the PSNI and Irish Garda march through BelfastCredit: PA:Press Association
Two men in unicorn floats take part in the Belfast Parade in Northern Ireland
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Two men in unicorn floats take part in the Belfast Parade in Northern IrelandCredit: AFP or licensors
Pretty in pastel! This drag artist stuns the crowd in a floral pastel frock
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Pretty in pastel! This drag artist stuns the crowd in a floral pastel frockCredit: PA:Press Association
This colourful trio celebrate the day in style behind a balloon backdrop
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This colourful trio celebrate the day in style behind a balloon backdropCredit: PA:Press Association
Police men and women join in wearing colourful Hawaiian leis
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Police men and women join in wearing colourful Hawaiian leisCredit: Rex Features
Coronation Street stars party at Manchester Pride

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