Gay Pride Uptown & Down

By ELIZABETH O'BRIEN and ELIZABETH HAYS
Daily News Writers

Amid a swirl of glittering floats, balloons, flags — and sometimes scantily dressed dancers — the 33rd Annual Gay Pride Parade cut a rainbow swath across the city yesterday.

	Fifth Ave. is a glittering example of the city's diversity as 100,000 march in 33rd Annual Gay Pride Parade.

From Fifth Ave. to the narrow streets of Greenwich Village, spectators cheered on more than 100,000 revelers who marched in the annual outpouring of gay and lesbian pride.

"It's awesome!" exclaimed spectator Griselle Gomez, 24, of New Jersey, shouting above the pounding music as she waved an oversize rainbow flag. "It makes me feel proud."

The day-long mixture of revelry, reflection and activism kicked off with a ceremony on Fifth Ave. near Central Park, where more than 50 same-sex couples exchanged vows of life-long love and commitment.

Uptown, 50 same-sex couples exchanged emotional marital vows.

"This is happiest day of my life," said Gino Da Silva, 40, as he gazed into the eyes of his partner, Duane Ellis, also 40, before they exchanged rings and repeating the words, "We do."

The crowd fell still for a moment of silence at 2 p.m. in memory of lives cut short by AIDS. Many also turned south toward where the World Trade Center once stood.

Some people waved the American flag alongside the rainbow flag this year. And among this year's grand marshals were groups representing gay and lesbian police officers, firefighters and EMS workers.

	Mayor Bloomberg greets 'Betsy Ross' along the parade route yesterday.

"It's a great feeling," said Sgt. Diane Uhlfelder, as the crowd cheered her and dozens of other cops who marched.

"Everyone always appreciates the gay cops because it takes a lot to be out here. But this year, it's even stronger," she added.

Mayor Bloomberg joined the march south of its starting point at 52nd St., avoiding protesters who picketed the parade outside St. Patrick's Cathedral — though this year only a handful turned out.

"I think a day like today is great to celebrate the diversity of New York City," he said.

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