Hundreds of people attended the county's Gay pride event

The Oxford Pride 2005 carnival, which hosted live acts and a funfair, was aimed at promoting diversity and acceptance, organisers said.

The annual festival, backed by the city council, was opened by Dr Evan Harris, Oxford West and Abingdon MP.

The event is also supported by Oxford Lesbian and Gay Community Centre.

Mr Harris said: "I am very pleased to be a patron of Oxford Pride. The campaign for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people has made real progress recently but there is still a way to go.

"Groups like Oxford Pride raise awareness, provide support to members of the community and have a key role to play in ending discrimination and changing homophobic attitudes and practices."