I was attending mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, New York.

Outside were preparations for a street parade and when I asked the lady next to me what it was all about, she wisphered in a very disapproving tone, "It's a gay parade"!

That was fine with me. I was more than happy to attend.

This group, marching "with a buddy", were carrying pictures of their friends and loved ones who had died from Aids.

May they rest in peace.