PRIDE: Rio and Buenos Aires Go Wild

Two of the world's most colorful and joyous Pride gatherings happened this weekend in South America. Rio de Janeiro Pride attracted tens of thousands to Copacabana Beach for dancing and revelry; there was much joy thanks to marriage equality making its way to Brazil last year. But it wasn't all frivolous fun -- the theme of the event was "We Are a Million Voices" and organizers called on the Brazilian government to enact LGBT-inclusive antidiscrimination laws. Many marched in T-shirts that read, "Fight Against Homophobia." The effort for government-mandated protections will be more difficult as more antigay conservatives were just elected to Brazil's legislature (sound familiar?).

Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, crowds gathered on Saturday at the Plaza de Mayo at Congress Square. There was also an emphasis on equality in the Argentinian capital, with organizers reading a document out loud: "We don't want formal equality. We want to feel equality on the streets, in every province and every part of the state. Never again to discrimination."

Below: The 19th Annual Gay Pride Celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Picturing Pride at the 19th annual LGBT Pride parade along Copacabana Beach Sunday.

A Rio trio poses at Pride.

See something you like, young men?

Rio Pride is one of the largest in the world.

Camera-ready beauty.

Security detail stands outside Copacabana Palace and enjoys the show.

Pride minimalism gets a kiss on the cheek.

Watching the floats float by.

Observers come to observe the amazing show.

A reveler pouts at the 19th annual LGBT Pride parade along Copacabana Beach.

Ladies posing for a tourist's camera.

Just another winged god hanging out at the beach.

Love across color lines.

Underneath the rainbow flag.

Below: The 23rd Annual Gay Pride Celebration in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Brandishing a proud gay paddle in Buenos Aires.

Mondrian Pride.

An act, waiting for their big break.

Perhaps a statement on coming out?

View of a poster reading "The Lesbian Decade" of Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner and Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff during the 23rd Gay Pride Parade Saturday in Buenos Aires.