The second-annual Latino Pride Festival June 6 drew more than 2,500 LGBT and ally individuals to North Philadelphia, a 25-percent increase in attendance from last year’s inaugural festival. The event, which had a special emphasis on raising awareness of breast and prostate cancer, brought together leaders such as keynote speaker Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs; state Reps. Tony Payton (D-179th Dist.) and Curtis Thomas (D-181st Dist.); City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D-7th Dist.); and Common Pleas Judge Angeles Roca. Brenda Torres, who organized the festival with her partner Iris Melendez — both of whom co-own LGBT nightclub Rainbow Eye at 1449 N. Fifth St. — called the event “very, very, very successful. It was very festive, very fun.” Next year’s Latino Pride Festival is set for June 5. Photo: Scott Drake