Monday June 11, 7:04 AM     Reuters

*3 Million Strut gay pride in Sao Paulo*

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - An estimated 3 million gays, lesbians and
transvestites paraded down the main avenue of Brazil's business capital
Sao Paulo on Sunday, showing their pride in a blaze of colour and
festive music, organizers said.

"We want people to address machismo, racism and homophobia ... which
still exists in Brazil," Nelson Matias Pereira, president of the parade
told the official news agency Agencia Brasil, adding that many families
took part.

The Sao Paulo Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transvestites (GLBT) Parade
Association said balmy temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius (77
Fahrenheit) helped draw more than last year's 2.5 million marchers and
that the turnout would be a world record.

A police estimate was unavailable, but nearly 900 officers were on duty
to help maintain order.

On a five-day visit to Brazil, the world's most populous Catholic
country, Pope Benedict attracted less than 1 million to listen to his
calls to reinforce traditional family values.

During Sunday's parade, bands played on 23 "trios eletricos," or huge
trucks, with their music blasted from massive loudspeakers.

For their 11th parade, the gays received official backing for the first
time.

Brazil's ministers for Tourism and Sport, Marta Suplicy and Orlando
Silva, attended the parade. The governor of Sao Paulo state, Jose Serra,
and city mayor Gilberto Kassab were also there.

Sponsors included Brazil's state energy company Petrobras and the
state-owned Caixa Economica Federal bank.

The parade is seen as a major cash cow, attracting large numbers of
Brazilian and foreign visitors, who boost the receipts of hotels,
restaurants and shops.

A study this year by consumer research consultants Insearch found that
Brazilian gays were above-average wage earners and spent 40 percent more
on leisure than heterosexuals.