The world’s largest gay pride parade livened the streets of Sao Paulo this weekend as more than 3.5 million people gathered to celebrate.

Sao Paulo was at the center of events this weekend as millions of people filled the city for the 11th Sao Paulo Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transvestites parade. Organizers said it was the world’s largest gay pride parade.

The participants celebrated the right to be “different” and condemned homophobia, racism and sexism. Tourism Minister Marta Suplicy said: “This is the biggest parade on the planet. Our city is showing, once again, its respect for diversity.”

Organizer Nelson Matias Pereira told the official news agency Agencia Brasil that the participants celebrated the right to address the “machismo, racism and homophobia ... which still exists in Brazil.”

This year was special for the parade as it received official support for the government, including the participation of government officials for tourism and sport.

The NYC gay pride parade had special guests like Ricky Martin, reigned as king at the 50th anniversary of the Puerto Rican parade on Sunday, as well as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez and TV personality Geraldo Rivera.