A photographer and his daughter share their images and thoughts of Gay Pride in London, a celebration involving half a million people on the streets of central London on a scorching July day.

We shared three cameras, a point and shoot little Fuji and two professional Canon EOS DS's with a big selection of lenses.

We found a great spot in Piccadilly Circus, the fountain right in front of us, Lillywhites slightly to our right, the famous neon signs to our left, and the pulsating procession right under our noses.

We waited about an hour for the marchers to arrive but there wasn't even a hint of hassle. People chatted, laughed, knocked back drinks. Tourists asked what was going on, and many of them stopped and waited with us.

Piccadilly Circus was packed. Later, we heard there were half a million people on the streets, which is fantastic. Gay Pride is an important day, a time to celebrate all that has been fought for and won, but also a time to remember sacrifices that have been made, plus all that needs to be done -- and of course it's a huge street party, London at its very best.

Young, gifted, gay and healthy

There was plenty of fun and exuberance, too, a few people going a little too far for some people's tastes. But I don't think it mattered. Who can be offended for long by a few bared breasts or drag queens writhing on buses? If London is going to celebrate, it might as well do it properly.

Don't you love a man in a cowboy hat?

I really wanted to be there. Gay Pride is an important celebration. It's a chance for people to be themselves, not hide or be ashamed, but to be proud of who they are, and who we are as an open and tolerant city.

My dad has told me how tough it used to be for gay people, how a celebration like this would have been impossible not so many years ago.

Pole position: Thank you Calvin Klein

I know a lot of people who say they support gay rights but they don't like to see gay couples kissing or holding hands. What's the big deal> Love is love. It doesn't 

  Get yer ya yas out!

Manworthy TV at Pride 2009

matter if it's love of a man for a woman, or a man for a man, or a woman for a woman. What's the problem? I just don't see it.

That's why it's important for as many people as possible to support Gay Pride, not just gay people but straight too. We're in this together. As Amnesty International says: "Love is a human right".