Guadalajara, Mexico - The 16th Guadalajara Gay Pride Parade (La Marcha de la Diversidad) - an annual event that celebrates diversity in general and seeks equal rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered - was held on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

The parade, which lasted about 40 minutes, started at the Glorieta Minerva and concluded in the Liberation Plaza, where thousands gathered for the after-parade rally.

The Liberation Plaza is an interesting location, as it is right behind the main catholic cathedral. Guadalajara is a city where much of the society is very religious, so the diversity march and rally being held there was an intriguing contrast.

Before and after the parade, Guadalajara streets and clubs were jammed with thousands of GLBT locals and visitors celebrating and enjoying the fun. Many Puerto Vallarta residents attended the event, thanks to a bus chartered by PV's SETAC GLBT Community Center.

Several Puerto Vallarta businesses, including SETAC, Blue Chairs, Vallarta Cora, and Paco's Ranch, entered floats into the parade. The GAY PV Magazine was also there, distributing several thousand publications promoting Puerto Vallarta as a premier gay travel destination to those in attendance.

Most pride events occur annually, and many take place in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, an important event in the modern GLBT movement. Earlier in June, an even larger pride event was held in Mexico City.