An estimated 120,000 people have turned out for Vienna’s largest protest for legal rights for members of the gay and lesbian community, the Rainbow Pride.

The football themed event which took place on Saturday was thought to have had its highest attendance in the event’s thirteen year history, with organizers urging for “no more offsides!”; the event took place less than a fortnight after the conclusion of Euro 2008.

The pride event is expected to have a more significant political effect than in previous years due to earlier Austrian elections in September.

The Social Democrats and the Greens parties were both represented at the event.

It is expected that a bill legalizing same-sex marriages will be shelved until a new Austrian government has been formed post elections.

Tags: Austria, glbt, pride march