Seattle’s 34th annual Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29, celebrated the end of national Pride Month. Both the parade and Pride Month recognize the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender community.

The Seattle Pride Parade faced controversy after moving to downtown Seattle from Capitol Hill in 2006 to accommodate more people and have a larger festival. In 2007, the Pride Parade risked cancellation due to a nearly $102,000 debt the move to Fourth Avenue. However, the Seattle Pride Parade — staffed entirely by volunteers and run by the nonprofit organization Seattle Out and Proud — expected to turn a profit this year, according to King5.

The Seattle Pride Parade is one of the largest gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender events in the country, drawing an estimated 400,000 spectators from all walks of life, according to King5.

Starting at Fourth Avenue and Union Street, the two-and-a-half hour Pride Parade began at 11 a.m. and traveled along Fourth Avenue to Denny Way.

The event kicked off to a raucous start with a long-time parade favorite.

“Dykes on Bikes is the best part,” said Wynne York, a Seattle Pride Parade veteran.

As the name implies, Dykes on Bikes is a celebration of motorcycles and the women (as well as some men) who ride them, cruising up and down the parade route. Following them were many groups and organizations, either from the sexual minority community or demonstrating support and affinity to diversity issues.

Employees from businesses, including Macy’s, Starbucks and local restaurants, marched or sponsored floats. Among the many other organizations represented were the UW’s Delta Lambda Phi fraternity, Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Fire Department. Politics were present and prominent, most notably with the appearances of Gov. Chris Gregoire and supporters of Barack Obama, who prompted the most enthusiasm from onlookers.

The crowd favorites were often organizations formed by the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender community, including the Safe School Coalition, Rainbow City Band, Leather Pride, Lambert House, the Rat City Roller Girls and a number of cultural groups.

Rachel Hovel and Casey Andrews, new to Seattle and to the Seattle Pride Parade, said they had a good time and were impressed by the community involvement and support.

“It’s nice to see such diversity across the city and across all parts and all the districts,” Andrews said. “It’s nice to feel welcome.”

Between the flashy floats, politicians and corporate organizations were also many groups focused on health, safety and providing acceptance and outreach for members of the community and expressing the freedom to love.

Perhaps in part due to the presence of bike-mounted police officers, there were no protesters at the parade.

“That’s weird; they’re usually here,” York said, commenting on the lack of anti-homosexual protesters.

In the spirit of parades, there were plenty of handouts and giveaways. Group Health passed out much-needed sunscreen, while other health groups supplied condoms. Amid the liberally thrown hard candy, taffy and flags, the messages of the parade were self-expression, love, acceptance and safety.