Gay pride parades are common in many Western countries, but before Saturday, they were unheard of in Uganda.

Not anymore, as the African country on Saturday held its first gay pride demonstration after a harsh anti-gay law was reversed by the courts, according to a report from The Guardian.

An organizer of the rally in the town of Entebbe, just about 20 miles from the Ugandan capital of Kampala, said police allowed the "Ugandan Pride" event to take place. The event was invitation-only.

"This event is to bring us together," said Sandra Ntebi, the organizer. "Everyone was in hiding before because of the anti-homosexuality law. It is a happy day of all of us, getting together."

The Ugandan constitutional court threw out the law on Aug. 1, based on a technicality. The law called for proven homosexuals to be given a life sentence in prison.

Uganga's government has filed an appeal of that decision, and leaders have signed a petition to vote on a new bill. Meanwhile, homosexuality remains illegal in the country, but it is no longer forbidden to promote homosexuality.

"We are unsatisfied with the court ruling," Uganda's Deputy Attorney General Fred Ruhinda said. "The law was not intended to victimize gay people, it was for the common good."

More than 500 people were expected to attend the rally but less than 200 ended up showing up, activist Moses Kimbugwe told AP, adding that it's possible people failed to show up because they feared for their safety.

"We are here to walk for those who can't walk, who are afraid to walk," he said. "We are here to celebrate our rights."

Despite the gay support shown at the rally, news reports claim that homophobia and anti-gay sentiment is common in Uganda with some blaming this on the messages spread by evangelical Christians from the U.S., who are popular in the country.

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