HALIFAX — A Halifax teacher who was discriminated against because she is a lesbian says the annual pride parade is a chance to reach out to gays and lesbians who are not open about their sexuality.

Lindsay Willow marshalled Saturday's colourful parade, which wound through downtown Halifax while thousands of spectators lined the streets and waved.

"It's really important for people to see that we're out and we're proud of who we are,'' she said before the parade began.

"It's just an example to say to them, `If you're nervous about your sexual orientation or if you're having thoughts about it, that there are people within the community and you're not alone.'''

Willow's story made national headlines earlier this year when the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission ruled that she was falsely accused of sexually assaulting a female student because she is gay.

She was awarded more than $27,000 in damages and has become an iconic figure in the city's gay and lesbian activist community.

Willow is hesitant to accept the hero label that some have tagged on her, but she readily acknowledges the significance of what she has gone through.

"What my case has represented for this community is an opportunity to stand up and speak, and I think that we need to stand up for the next individual just as strong,'' she said.

Willow was among marchers from dozens of groups and organizations in the parade.

Floats ranged from gay and lesbian support centres, to local businesses, to an animal rights group.

Several flat-bed trucks blasted out music while throngs of people danced on the back, and even a city transit bus covered in rainbow-coloured balloons and banners rolled through the parade route.

Bryan and Ron Garnett-Doucette, one of three couples who successfully petitioned the province's Supreme Court in 2004 to allow same-sex marriage, held hands as they marched.

"For the participants in the parade, it's fellowship and support, and for people who are on the street, some curiosity and some support, too,'' said Bryan Garnett-Doucette.

DevaStation and DynaMight, a pair of drag queens who wore go-go boots, shiny miniskirts and headdresses about a half-metre tall, said the day is just about having a good time.

"We've been here for the last six years and people almost expect us to go crazy now,'' said DevaStation. "We just like to have fun -- strut ourselves down the road and make everybody take notice.''

Scott Brison, an openly gay MP who is also a candidate for the federal Liberal leadership, shook hands with people lining the streets as he walked in the parade.

"This is not just a celebration of rights for gays and lesbians and bisexual and transgendered Canadians, it's a celebration of Canadian rights and our Charter (of Rights and Freedoms),'' Brison told CTV News.

Some New Democrats also marched, but an NDP member of the Nova Scotia legislature said it wasn't a political statement.

Joan Massey, standing near a sign that read Come Out With the NDP, said it's just about supporting the community.

"We're not really bringing politics to it,'' said Massey. "We're just here like everybody else to say we're taking part in today's activities and to show our support.''