ORLANDO, Fla. -- Organizers of Orlando's annual Gay Pride parade believe politics may have helped them attract their largest crowd ever. Over the weekend about 45,000 people attended the event in downtown Orlando.

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VOTE 2008: Learn More About The Amendments, Local Elections

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Organizers hoped to raise awareness to Amendment 2 on the November ballot, which would ban same sex marriages.

Gay activists have already gained the support of city leaders such as Mayor Buddy Dyer, who last week voted to allow domestic partner benefits to city employees who are gay.

"Two weeks, two days to the elections, so we need to work hard to defeat Amendment 2," Dyer said.

A small group of protesters tried to drown out the festival's message. They held signs that read "Hell is horrible" and the small group sparked tensions among gay activists. It was the Orlando- based group Florida for Marriage that collected 650,000 signatures to put Amendment 2 on the ballot.

"Kids need a mom and a dad. That's the best arrangement for rearing of children," said John Stemberger of Florida for Marriage.

Critics of the amendment have warned it may have unintended consequences for senior citizens who form legal unions to share health insurance or make medical and financial decisions for each other.