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Cologne, DE- Both Köln Police and the organizers of the Pride march and festival agree over 1.2 million people attended the 9th annual EuroPride celebration in this city on the Rhine Sunday. 70,000 people and over 145 parade units participated in the march making it one of the largest gay pride demonstrations in the world.

The day before parade the cardinal of the Catholic Church in Cologne declared that gay pride was the equivalent of prostitution and prohibited the "Dom" choir from performing at the opening ceremonies of the street festival. This declaration did nothing to dampen the spirits of the organizers or celebrants.

During the weekend the center of Cologne was shut down and turned into the largest street fair ever held for a gay pride event. Four city center squares were converted into dance, exhibition and entertainment stage areas.

Politicians addressed the crowd at the main stage on the Heumarkt in the center of town. Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joschka Fischer spoke of his support for the struggle of equal rights for the lesbian, gay and transgender community. Fischer is the highest ranking German federal official to ever address a gay pride event in Europe. Other state and city officials were on hand to lend their support.

German and international performing artists entertained throughout the weekend. Appearing on the main stage was Scottish singing sensation Horse and Danish superstar Whigfeld singing her dance hits "Saturday Night", "sexy Eyes" and her newest single "Gotta Getcha".