I’m not a parade-goer by nature, but the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade — with its marching bands, loudspeakers and thumpa-thumpa disco trucks — passes so close to our house in West Hollywood that our large spotted cat Zig hides under the bed for the duration.

This year, there were two draws — one for me and one for my spouse, Page. For me, I figured that if San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newswome, who is running for governor next year, was going to be walking past my house, it wouldn’t hurt to go have a look-see. It’s been years — decades — since a politician got my attention the way he has.

(For the record, the last candidate who truly interested me was Rep. Patricia Schroeder who ran for president for about 10 minutes in 1988. I’m not saying I’m good a picking winners, but on substance and the issues, Newsome is on the money now, as Schroeder was then. And on the charisma scale, he’s right up there with Pres. Obama.)

Page is a fan of Chelsea Handler, host of E! TV’s “Chealsea Lately,” and her sidekick, Chuey, who were attending as the parade’s grand marshals.

Finally, after 22 of days straight without seeing sunshine — known in these parts as “May gray” and “June gloom” — it was at least occasionally sunny on Sunday morning, so we ventured out.

Here’s a bit of what we saw as we walked west along the parade route:

Funny Signs

I doubt anyone at the parade, including the women, wanted to see Carrie Prejean’s breasts, but the sign gets points for being well-designed.

Now this one was funny.

Gay Families

The family contingents always get a great reaction from the crowd.

The kids all seem to be having a great time.

Hateful Christians

Christians with megaphones are on hand every year, shouting vile curses and ominous mortal threats against everyone who passes by, including the kids in the gay families. The Christians are kept in a “free speech zone,” about 20 yards from the parade route. By contrast, the free speech zones at national political conventions of both parties are 100 yards from the venues.

Gavin Newsome

The mayor and his supporters sprinted down Santa Monica Boulevard

Yep, he’s got charisma in spades.

Mayor Villaraigosa & Chief Bratton

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of West Hollywood’s much larger neighbor, Los Angeles, (right) chats with LAPD Chief William Bratton (in uniform) and Bratton’s wife, attorney and Court TV analyist Rikki Klieman. There was a time when officials from Los Angeles were not welcome at the parade, but those days are long gone.

Chelsea Handler

That’s Chelsea in the turquoise shoes. Chuey is the short fellow.