Gay couple marry on float at Rose Parade in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Danny Leclair and Aubrey Loots, riding on a wedding cake float, were the principals Wednesday in the Rose Parade's first same-sex wedding in Pasadena, Calif.

While the wedding picked up some hostile comment in advance on social media, including a Facebook page urging a boycott of the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade, the crowds lining the route were friendly, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Some, like Jennifer Adair and her partner, Bonnie Cortez, came to the parade specifically to see the wedding.

"I'm going to cheer, 'Gay rights! Gay rights! Equality! Equality!'" Adair said. "We're a modern-day society, so accept it. Don't worry about what other people do."

Viewers of the live telecast on KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, got to see the wedding, which occurred near the end of the parade.

"Congratulations and our best wishes to Aubrey and Danny on their wedding day!" KTLA-TV host Bob Eubanks said.

The float, sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, had the title "Living the Dream: Love Is the Best Protection." The foundation argues that legalizing same-sex marriage encourages responsible behavior, reducing the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and created the float to celebrate advances in 2013.

Leclair, 45, told the Times before the ceremony he and Loots, 42, planned an early night New Year's Eve so they could be at the start of the parade route by 6 a.m. PST, properly dressed and ready for the 8 a.m. start.