It was more than double last year's turnout and the first time the chief of any Canadian police force marched in a gay parade.

"The message that I'm trying to send is that policing services in this community will be provided in a fair and equitable manner to all segments of the community," Chambers said. "I also want to send a strong message to our employees that they'll be treated fairly and equitably by the same standards."

Chambers walked with a contingent of openly gay and lesbian law-enforcement officials -- another first for the parade. It was also Mayor Owen's first gay parade.

"Apparently it's really quite unique that I would be here with the chief of police," Owen said. "I don't think he or I think it's such a unique thing. I just think it's another wonderful event in the city of Vancouver and we're very pleased to be participating with it. ... It is a colorful and positive event that expresses the strength and diversity of this unique community."

Numerous other elected officials marched, including federal members of Parliament Svend Robinson (openly gay) and Hedy Fry, city councilors (two openly gay), provincial legislators (one openly gay), city Parks Board commissioners (two openly gay), and the provincial health minister, human resources minister and attorney general.

"I think [the parade is] a recognition that being gay is not a stereotype in any sense by either gay people or straight. You don't have to put them in boxes," said gay City Councilor Gordon Price.

The theme for Pride '97 was homophobia in the public-education system -- and two of the four parade grand marshals were 18 years old. There has been heavy media coverage of the suburban Surrey school board's recent banning of three children's books that feature same-sex couples. Pro-gay parents and teachers have filed suit against the board in the provincial Supreme Court.

The parade ran along the West End's Denman and Pacific streets ending with a rally, concert and fair at Beach Park. The march avoids Vancouver's gayest street, Davie Street, because floats and disabled people might have trouble with a hill.

"With the endorsement of the mayor and the chief of police, they recognize the importance of this event to the summer-festival scene of the city," said spectator Don McMillan of North Vancouver.

"It's gratifying to see the mayor and the police chief grudgingly acknowledging at long last the political and demographic realities of both the city and the nation," added spectator John Collins, a University of British Columbia researcher.