SAN FRANCISCO – In pride they trust – and they have done so for forty-one years.

“Today, pride parade is all about accepting every lifestyle that is here. People feel welcome to be here in San Francisco,” said Mayor Edwin Lee. He added that the city wanted to showcase to the world that diversity “can be wonderful for everybody.”

Men in heels, in stilts or even in their birthday suits are a usual fare in the annual gay pride parade on Market street. Every year, the march for gender equality continues. And this time around, there seemed to be a spring in their step.

The inspiration to carry on comes all the way from New York, where same sex marriage was legalized last week.

Gay rights advocate Stuart Weir says that it was now California’s turn to buckle down and go to work.

“Today we celebrate New York for marriage equality. Tomorrow we get back to work to overturn Proposition 8 and restore marriage equality in California,” he said.

The only child of Cher and Sonny Bono lent his support as this year’s celebrity grand marshal. Acclaimed author and LGBT advocate Chaz Bono, formerly known as Chastity Bono shared his story in a documentary that chronicled his journey through gender reassignment.

“Becoming Chaz” premiered t Sundance this year.

“It’s an amazing experience,” Bono said. “I felt so lucky to be there, to be able to be in the theater and see that film and the audience. They really seemed to get the film, they laughed at all the parts. It was just amazing.”

In a recent New York Times article, columnist Scott James observed that the issues which once prompted protests in the gay community now appear headed towards being resolved. AIDS is treatable, workplace discrimination is less frequent and same sex marriage is possible.

For this community in transition, he asks, what do they still fight for? It was the same question posted to some participants in Sunday’s parade.

“Good benefits, good contracts for all healthcare workers,” said United Health Care Workers’ Mary Sacramento.

Filipino LGBT advocate Pastor Dayao meanwhile encourages Filipino members of the gay community not to be afraid to stand up for themselves.

“To all my fellow gay Filipinos out there, go out and be proud of yourself, don’t hide yourself,” Dayao said.

The answers given varied but the theme still remains – equality for all.

Contact Nadia Trinidad at nadia_trinidad@abs-cbn.com for more information.