Gov. Patrick to march in Boston gay pride parade

BOSTON (AP) -- Gov. Deval Patrick has led a group of volunteers for President Obama as they marched in a gay pride parade in Boston.

Democratic Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren also joined the 42nd annual Boston Pride Parade, which began Saturday in the South End and ended at City Hall Plaza.

Gay activists have recently been given a lot to celebrate.

Obama last month became the first president to declare his support for gay marriage. Then, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal Defense of Marriage Act's denial of federal benefits to same-sex couples is unconstitutional.

That case appears headed to the Supreme Court.