Duluth Gay Pride draws politicians, celebrities and protesters

The Twin Ports area of Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis., held its 23rd annual LGBT Pride event Labor Day weekend, drawing a record 12,000 people. Anti-gay protesters shouted at parade participants and festival-goers, while politicians angling for the DFL nomination for governor worked the crowds. The festival boasted a big name act with international drag sensation RuPaul.

Sen. John Marty, who has announced his campaign for governor, had a large presence at the festival and parade. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, widely rumored to be running for governor, was a long way from home on Sunday when he and a contingent of supporters walked in the parade. Sen. Al Franken was also in the parade.

Protesters turned out during the festival and parade warning attendees that they must repent or burn in hell.

There were only a half-dozen protesters who heckled the crowd with a megaphone. At the parade, members of the Superior Police Department managed to isolate them.

International drag star RuPaul entertained thousands at Bayfront Park. She told the crowd to work toward making the next generation an inclusive one for LGBT people.