Soldiers March in UK Gay Pride Parade

MANCHESTER, UK -- British soldiers from the Royal Air Force joined thousands of gay men and women in Manchester's gay pride parade Saturday as they sought new recruits for the army.

Supporters cheered on the 10 troopers - men and women who volunteered to participate - as they waved to the crowds and smiled along the two-mile route in central Manchester.

The British government lifted a ban on gays serving in the country's armed forces in 2000 after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the restriction was a violation of human rights.

Surrounded by a group of men wearing silver paint, angel wings, blond wigs and not much else, Warrant Officer Lutha Magloire said the army was there to show its support and, if possible, to sign up new recruits.

"We don't really care what sexual orientation you are if you want to come and join us in the Army," the 39-year-old soldier said. "Whether straight or not the Army does not care and does not ask that question to recruits."

The soldiers were welcomed by the more than 45,000 people who turned out for the three-day event.

"I think it's great the Army is coming," said the festival director, Claire Turner. "They're showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in."

The Royal Air Force was there, too, with 20 people manning a float in the parade that featured a replica of airplane cockpit. It was the second consecutive year that the RAF participated.