BANGKOK: Thousands of members of Thailand's LGBTQ+ community raised rainbow flags in the country's first official pride parade on Sunday evening (June 5) to celebrate pride month and support gender equality.

Waving blue, pink, and white transgender flags, marchers made their way through the main streets of Bangkok. Some chanted and called for same-sex marriages to be legalized and for sex workers' rights.

Designer Cpeeranat, 24, who made his costume with a long rainbow flag, said the parade had given him goosebumps. The relatively big parade was supported by the local government for the first time.

Drag Queen Gun Punna, 56, who was dressed in rainbow clothes from head to toe, was calling for the acceptance of sexual diversity.

In Thailand, two bills on LGBTQ+ couples, including one on civil partnerships, are waiting to go to parliament.

The civil partnership bill approved by the cabinet in 2020 would recognize same-sex unions with almost the same legal rights as married couples.

^{PHOTO: PEOPLE DRESSED IN COSTUMES/ HOLDING RAINBOW FLAGS/ DANCING, MARCHING ON STREET, SOUNDBITES FROM PARTICIPANTS /PEOPLE ON TRUCK DANCING, WAVING TO CAMERA/PRIDE BALLON WITH SIGN READING (English): "Big love"}