Every year, thousands of people belonging to the LGBT community take part in Gay Pride Parades to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture.

Although social conservatives oppose such events, they are celebrated with much zeal and enthusiasm in both accepting and non-accenting regions. In places where such events are less accepted, such parades have an activist character while in more accepting cities, the event is celebrated in a festive manner.

Earlier, in June 2011, a historic decision was taken by the New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, legalizing same-sex marriage in New York City. With the passing of this bill, New York became the sixth and most populous US state to allow gay marriages.

However, religious institutions and non-profits with religious affiliations will not be compelled to accept such ceremonies and homosexual rights.

Start the slideshow to view the top 10 lesbian and Gay Pride Parades across the world:

Gay Pride Parade in Toronto.
A person wears a giant red wig as the take part in the Gay Pride Parade in Toronto, July 3, 2011. Reuters.
Christopher Street Day parade in Cologne.
A reveller takes part in the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Cologne July 3, 2011. Several thousand revellers took part in the annual CSD parade in the western German city of Cologne to demonstrate for the rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual people and to commemorate clashes between gay people and U.S. police in New York City's Christopher Street in June 1969. Reuters.
Gay pride parade in Santo Domingo.
Revellers take part in the gay pride parade in Santo Domingo July, 3, 2011. Reuters.
Annual Gay Pride parade in Lima
Participants perform with a bus made of cardboard that says "avenue revolution, dignity and freedom march during the annual Gay Pride parade in Lima, July 2, 2011. The march inaugurated by Lima's Mayor Susana Villaran highlights issues of the gay, lesbian and transgender community. Reuters.
Annual Pride London parade.
Participants take part in the annual Pride London parade which highlights issues of the gay, lesbian and transgender community, in London, July 2, 2011. Reuters.
Gay pride parade in Oaxaca.
A reveller blows a kiss during a gay pride parade in Oaxaca July 2, 2011. Some 250 LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights activists participated in the parade. Reuters.
15th Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo.
People carry a rainbow flag during the 15th Gay Pride Parade in Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo June 26, 2011. More than 3 million LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) took part in the annual Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade, making it the world's largest gay pride march, according to Brazilian tourism authorities. Reuters.
Gay pride parade in Mexico City.
Revellers pose for a photograph during a gay pride parade in Mexico City June 25, 2011. Thousands of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights activists participated in the annual parade. Reuters.
Gay pride parade in San Salvador.
Revellers pose during the gay pride parade in San Salvador June 25, 2011. Reuters.
New York New York