SAN DIEGO -- San Diego's annual gay pride festival wrapped up in Balboa Park Sunday night. Nearly 200,000 people attended San Diego's largest civic event including Constance McMillen, who made national headlines when she sued her high school for not allowing her to take her girlfriend to her prom.

"I just felt it was important to stand up for myself I don't think your age really matters," said McMillen. When San Diego's American Civil Liberties Union heard about McMillen's struggle they invited her to a private prom at a La Jolla home.

She was a marshal in this year's parade with a message for all. "You just need to love your family, love your friends, and people you're around, and not judge them for what they are but because of who they are," said McMillen.

The rural Mississippi teenager was not even born when the gay pride parade started in the 1970's, but she is well versed on what she calls, "its importance."

"You just have to understand it's a new generation. I know a lot of people in the older generation don't agree with certain things their kids are doing but you don't have to agree," said McMillen.