VANCOUVER - Hundreds of people held hands and waved rainbow flags Sunday as they marched through Vancouver's West End before hearing speakers denounce violence against gays, lesbians, the transgendered and bisexual.

The Join Hands for Justice rally began at English Bay marched to the site where a man was violently assaulted last month as he strode hand-in-hand with his partner.

The rally was escorted by a phalanx of motorcycle cops.

Michael Kandola, a 20-year-old Vancouver man, faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm in connection with an incident that police are calling a gay bashing.

Jordan Smith said he was holding hands with a man when the pair were approached by five men.

Smith, 27, said he was hit on the head so hard that he was knocked unconscious.

His jaw is broken in three places and is wired shut after surgery.

Rally moderator Jim Deva told the crowd that he had asked the police to hold the rally.

"The police chief (Jim Chu) said, `Of course, you can have a rally, and I want to speak at it,"' Deva said.

Chu said it was not that long ago that the Vancouver Police Department was reluctant to participate in Pride Parades, but now he walks in them every year.

"We are happy to join you because you are our friends, our neighbours," Chu said to huge applause.

Chu also said the police department advocates changes in legislation that would make it easier for judges to cite hate crimes when they consider sentences against people convicted in offences such as the one involving Smith.

The Criminal Code contains a provision under sentencing that allows a judge to increase or reduce a sentence when the offence is motivated by hate or prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation and other factors.

David Angelo Petrovic, who said he saw the assault against Smith and will be a witness at the trial, also lauded the police.

"The cops were very supportive and very efficient," he said. "The police were there right away."

Chu said that the gay and lesbian community has his assurance that "we will continue to take your safety seriously."

"This city values human dignity," said Chu. "There are a few who commit hate crimes and they will end."

Petrovic and two other speakers, Greg Chute and Joan-E, who came dressed in drag, agreed the verbal assaults still continue unabated, especially in the West End.

While assaults are comparatively rare, Chute said hardly a day goes by that he isn't called names by people in passing cars.

And, Joan-E said people are reluctant sometimes to report crimes because they may be drunk or taking drugs and worry that the police will arrest them for that.

"The police don't care about that," he said. "They're here to protect us."

Several municipal and federal politicians attended the rally but were not invited to speak.

Kandola returns to court Tuesday.