Hundreds of homosexuals from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa [Images] thronged a secluded place in this port town to revel in festivities to usher in the New Year.

The male-having-sex-with-male community advanced the festivities by a day and welcomed the New Year at an isolated house tucked on a hillock at Vasco on Saturday night.

The community's members from Hyderabad, Pune, Sangli, Belgaum, Nasik and Goa participated in the overnight festivities. Gay associations like Mukanayak (Sangli), Birds (Belgaum), Samapathik (Pune) and Goa's Humsafar Trust had publicised this party, which coincided with the birthday of a Goan gay community member.

A dance competition and the birthday celebration were the highlights with Madhuri Dixit's [Images] famous hits from Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and songs from Subhash Ghai's [Images] Kisna topping the play list at the party.

Dressed like women for the dance competition, the revelers categorically rubbished the general impression equating them with eunuchs.