One day after the Supreme Court affirmed same-sex marriage in Texas and across the United States, record crowds of rainbow-colored revelers took to downtown to celebrate the 37th annual Houston LGBT Pride Celebration.
It was the first time the parade took place outside of Montrose, where it had been held since its inception in 1979. And while the move from the spiritual home of Houston's LGBT community engendered mixed feelings, it didn't dampen the euphoric mood over the high court's ground-breaking decision.
Although the celebration began at noon with a big festival at Houston City Hall, crowds mushroomed for the 8:30 p.m. parade starting at Walker and Milam, then turning on Smith street before passing by City Hall and continuing down Jefferson.
Noted photographer F. Carter Smith captured scenes of celebration in these photos, as the parade concluded just before heavy rains soaked the area.
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Mayor Annise Parker — the first openly gay mayor of a major American city — and wife Kathy Hubbard joyously led the procession.
Colorful beads are draped on the spotlight of a police cruiser parked on Walker Street.
Policewoman D.S. Sanchez displays the banner "Houston's Finest, Out and Proud."
The parade took a turn under a rainbow chandelier hung at the corner of Smith and Walker streets downtown.
All you needed was love, a rainbow and a smile.
Stationary bicyclists "rode" down the parade route.
Family and friends of Houston Firefighters parade past One Shell Plaza in downtown Houston.
Only the inflatable bear wasn't wearing a mask on this float!
This bearded bohemian poured gold glitter on himself and all those around him.
The 37th annual Houston LBGT Pride Celebration kicked off in downtown Houston for the first time.
Colorful rollerskaters waited for the 37th annual celebration of the city's LGBT community to begin.
Mounted police helped to control the crowd celebrating on Milam Street.
LGBT employees and supporters from NASA get ready to shoot for the moon.
A jolly couple stroll with their twin dogs in front of a sightseeing bus.
BBVA Compass employees can bank on it after the United States Supreme Court's decision legalized same-sex marriage across the nation.
GLBT Network SEAShell employees celebrates near One Shell Plaza.
It was a night to remember under the chandelier at the Pride Parade.
