Tens of thousands of people took part in Belfast Pride today.
Organisers say it is the biggest such event on the island of Ireland with large crowds lining the streets of the city centre.
More than 250 groups signed up this year, an increase of 25% since 2022.
The parade and associated events have been described as a celebration and a protest.
The theme this year is 'Stand by Your Trans'.
The police had faced criticism from some quarters with claims that their participation was an endorsement of gay rights campaigns.
They denied their decision had anything to do with this year's theme and referred to their duty to maintain impartiality.
Senior police officers did attend on duty and in uniform and the PSNI took a stand at the event.
Ulster Rugby was excluded from this year's parade due to organisers' opposition to a ban on transgender women playing in female contact rugby.
Belfast Pride started in 1991 and over the last 30 years has grown to be the largest single parade in Northern Ireland.
In 2022-2023, the PSNI reported a 24% increase in the number of transphobic hate crimes in Northern Ireland.
Kirsty Mulholland, co-chair of Belfast Pride, said the parade showed the value of Pride to the city.
"The ever-growing support for Belfast Pride and the inclusion of the diverse groups and communities from across Northern Ireland shows the important role Belfast Pride plays in making Belfast the city we all know and love," they said.
"We have an amazing day of entertainment for all the family including our live concert full of local performers in Custom House Square, our Pride Village with children's entertainment, and our annual pride market."
Ms Mulholland also said Pride aims to support the LGBTQIA+ community in fighting homophobia.
"Pride is also an important opportunity to highlight the continued inequalities experienced by our community," they said.
"At Belfast Pride we seek to platform and amplify the voices of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people and to share the true stories of people and families around inclusion, healthcare, and human rights.
"Belfast Pride wants to support the entire LGBTQIA+ community and our allies in opposing transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia in all its forms.
"We can all make meaningful contributions towards trans equality and together we can shape our world into one which celebrates diversity and difference away from one which fears it.
"While there is almost daily media coverage of issues related to trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, our community are often excluded from debates about our identities, inclusion, and rights."
Belfast Pride Festival 2023 was launched on 21 July at Belfast City Hall and will end tomorrow.
More than 70,000 people attended the Belfast Pride Parade in 2022.
With additional reporting by PA
