Chaz Bono joined thousands celebrating at the fourth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride parade yesterday (15 April).

The transgender son of Cher and Sonny Bono, who shot to fame starring in hit US TV show Dancing With The Stars, was this year's grand marshal in the procession.

'A really diverse group of people. People with kids, straight people, people of color, different nationalities; everything,' the GLAAD award winner told the Miami Herald.

He added: 'I’m always just surprised by people’s response to me. It’s incredibly welcoming and enthusiastic.'

Participants in this year's parade, which saw 67 floats travel down the Florida city's Ocean Drive, included representives from fire and police departments, stores such as Macy's, Coca-Cola, schools, churches and strippers from all-nude male bar Swinging Richards.

Borinquen Medical Center won the parade's outstanding float prize.

The more serious message of the march was not forgotten, however, with a minute silence held to remember LGBT lives lost to suicide, HIV/AIDS and in the military.