Marriage Equality Brings Euphoria to San Francisco Pride Parade

Thousands of cheering spectators lined Market Street on Sunday for the 45th annual San Francisco Pride Parade. Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling making same-sex marriage legal nationwide seemed to bring more energy and significance to the event, which organizers called the biggest ever.

Dykes on Bikes kicked off the parade with the roar of hundreds of motorcycles.

Melissa and Rachel Stinar, of Pinole (Jeremy Raff/KQED)

"We met on match.com and got married soon after. I mean, this isn't my first rodeo. I knew it was right." -- Melissa Stinar

"I've been with Dykes on Bikes since 1978, when I started riding motorcycles. With the Supreme Court decision, it's like they just can't say no to us anymore." -- Soni Wolf

Soni Wolf, secretary of San Francisco Dykes on Bikes (Jeremy Raff/KQED).

'This is my 10th year,' said Angela Bomberry, right, of San Ramon, with her wife, Sulli Fuentes. 'We have been married seven years.'

Lydia Brown has been riding in the parade for 10 years (Jeremy Raff/KQED).

Its Jackie Jackson's 35th parade, while Claire Aldridge, right, moved here from Portland three weeks ago (Jeremy Raff/KQED). — Above, a West Hollywood Elite cheerleader. Left, Jackie Jackson at her 35th parade. Right, Claire Aldridge, who moved here from Portland three weeks ago. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)

Nanette Gartrell and Dee Mosbacher, dressed as Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor, have been together 40 years (Jeremy Raff/KQED). — Nanette Gartrell and Dee Mosbacher, dressed as Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor, have been together 40 years. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)

"The decision happened on the anniversary of our third marriage to each other, and today is my 66th birthday. How about that!" -- Nanette Gartrell

Thom Kostura and Ijpe DeKoe were plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case (Jeremy Raff/KQED) — Thom Kostura and Ijpe DeKoe were plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)

Johno Espejo and Matthew Mansell with their daughter, Elyse. They lived in Tennessee when they became plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case. Mansell says they're relieved to be back in California. (Jeremy Raff/KQED). — Johno Espejo and Matthew Mansell with their daughter, Elyse. They lived in Tennessee when they became plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case. Mansell says they're relieved to be back in California. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)

Big tech companies like Airbnb, Facebook, and especially Apple made their presence felt. Apple had the largest group in the parade, with thousands of employees and their friends and families waving flags and handing out iTunes gift cards.