FARGO - There were no floats, fire engines or marching bands, but an estimated 150 marchers, spanning two city blocks, took part in this city's first Pride parade.

Members and supporters of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community formed a historic line at noon Sunday in downtown Fargo.

"I'm incredibly happy," said Bob Uebel of the Pride Collective. "Even if we'd marched with 25 or 50 people, I'd still be happy. The thing was to do it."

The parade was a new addition to FM Pride, an annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community celebration now in its third year.

"It's my first Pride as a gay man," said Steven Dais, a senior at North Dakota State University. "I felt it was important to take part."

Jasmine Perry, of Moorhead, Minn., said it was good to see "so many people who are so comfortable with who they are."

A lone protester stood with a sign on one street corner. As instructed by Uebel, marchers smiled and waved at him.

Former Fargo Mayor Jon Lindgren, the grand marshal of the parade, recalled signing the first proclamation for Gay-Lesbian Pride week 20 years ago.

"You had the nerve to walk into the mayor's office and basically come out," Lindgren told the crowd. "Those original folks had to educate a mayor who wasn't hip to those issues."

Rep. Mary Ekstrom, D-Fargo, said she opposes a proposed state constitutional change that would define marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman.

"I am adamantly opposed to it," she said. "We do not put discrimination into the Constitution."