The annual Gay Pride Canal Parade in Amsterdam saw an overcast, but warm and dry start on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are lining the canals in the Netherlands' capital and cheering the passing boats. It is the 16th time that the event is being held.

Generally the Canal Parade is seen as a showcase of Dutch tolerance towards gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, although critics say that the pageant does little to diminish tensions between these groups and conservative sections of Dutch society.

Photos of the Canal Parade are being posted on our Facebook page

(rk)