As the 2009 Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade got ready to launch Sunday afternoon, Jack Beneville held a sign above his head.

It read: “I fought and bled for our country. God made me gay. Don't question God.”

“We're just like anyone else,” said Beneville, an Air Force veteran who said he served proudly from 1968 to 1982.

“If there is a gay agenda, it is to have the same rights as everyone else. No more, no less,” he said.

The parade was part of a two-day Pride Festival hosted by city of Palm Springs and Greater Palm Springs Pride.

This year's theme was “Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights,” in recognition of the strides taken in the past year toward advancing individual rights, particularly gay marriage, according to a written statement by Jack Schloeder, president of Greater Palm Springs Pride Inc.

The parade, which moved south along Palm Canyon Drive from Alejo Road to Ramon Road, featured a few floats and decorated cars along with trucks bearing the names of businesses, organizations and a product or two.

Dance groups and cheerleaders performed along the route.

Cleve Jones, founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, served as grand marshal.

Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, his partner and their two children, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Mills, Councilwoman Ginny Foat, councilmen Rick Hutcheson and Lee Weigel and their families took part.

Marchers from various organizations included Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the Unitarian Church of the Desert, Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and Dignity Palm Springs, a congregation of Christian worshippers, many who are gay.

Organizers had hoped to bring attention to events that have challenged the gay communities efforts.

“Our goal was to produce an event that was not just for the gay community,” Schloeder said. “This an event where all can come together. An event that is family-friendly and enjoyable.”

Schloeder said the estimated parade attendance was between 25,000 and 30,000. Another 1,200 took part in the parade.

A minor protest was held by three men who stood midway through the parade route with various signs, the largest read: “God hates sin. Does God hate you?”

“God loves us all equally,” said Bill LaMarche, a notary public and Dignity Palm Springs congregation member. “We don't use the Bible for hate.”

There are those who hate gays and lesbians who use the good book to marginalize them, he said.

“We are no different,” he said. “I have been in a relationship with the same partner for 15 years,” he said. “We have the same boring life as any married couple. And he is the only person for me.”