More than 5,000 people came out Sunday to celebrate 40 years of Silicon Valley Pride in San Jose.
Officials said this year had double the turnout compared to last year’s celebration, partly because people wanted to celebrate gay marriage and the recent court ruling on marriage equality.
This year’s event brought in several live bands to perform on city streets. Organizers also brought back the Pride Parade to San Jose after eight years.
Silicon Valley Pride CEO Thaddeus Campbell said the social climate in the Bay Area has changed the most over the years.
"To be gay in the workplace was not cool 40 years ago," Campbell said. "A few months ago, I was invited to a few celebrations at a few high tech companies where they celebrated diversity and gay rights. I looked out at the crowd and it amazed me that people are openly gay and working and their bosses are okay with it. Nobody is being threatened. The progress has been tremendous."
Pride organizers said their goal is to make sure that gay teenagers feel comfortable coming out and not feel threatened.
