Send to Kindle
Pictured: participants in the 2010 Sofia Pride gay parade. Photo by BGNES
The 4th annual Sofia Pride LGBT parade against the discrimination of people with various sexual orientation has started in the Bulgarian capital late Saturday afternoon amidst increased security measures designed to stave off provocations.
Several hundred participants rallied between 4 pm and 4:30 at the starting point of the Sofia Prida gay parade near the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, guarded by hundreds of police officers and private security guards.
From there, the parade is supposed to reach the Soviet Army monument at about 5:30-6 pm on Saturday.
The Sofia Municipality has issued a ban for a counter-rally requested by nationalist and far-right formations.
The gay parade organizers have stated they have taken all necessary precautions. However, past editions of Sofia Pride – especially the first ever parade in 2008 and the third annual parade in 2010 – were marred by incidents and provocations caused by far-right extremists.
Back in 2008, skin heads assaulted parade participants with Molotov cocktails leading the police to round up and arrest more than 60 extremists.
The 2009 gay parade in Sofia has been the most peaceful so far, while the one in 2010 saw several more minor provocations.
Eight foreign embassies – of the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Germany, Slovenia, the UK, and the USA – have declared their public support for the Sofia Pride LGBT parade, and for the equal rights of people regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
A scheduled conference of far-right European politicians, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former British MEP Nigel Farage, was abruptly halted by police in Brussels
The iconic "Phantom of the Opera" starts on the stage of Hall 1 at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) for a fascinating series of 14 performances, commencing today
The 28th edition of the "Sofia Film Fest" starts tonight at 7 p.m. in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture (NDK). The festival will open with the screening of "Klopka," a compelling film by director Nadezhda Koseva that promises to captivate viewers w
The decision was taken at the request of the Ministry of Justice and is subject to immediate implementation.
Dutch exit polls have projected a seismic win for Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party (PVV) in the Netherlands elections, stunning European political circles
Gabriela Bankova, a transgender woman who initiated a hunger strike on November 13 to challenge the court's denial of her gender change request, was apprehended by Bulgarian police due to the absence of valid identification papers
A new mobile application has been launched in Bulgaria, offering crucial assistance and support to victims in need
A bus with Bulgarian registration veered off its path, resulting in 11 injuries, two of which are reported to be severe
Over the next 24 hours, expect cloudy skies with rainfall across the eastern half of the country, where precipitation may be intense in some areas. Meanwhile, the western half will see clouds clearing during the day, becoming mostly sunny
In response to the recent deaths of two newborns due to whooping cough, the Ministry of Health in Bulgaria has implemented measures to curb the spread of the disease
Amidst growing discontent among taxi operators across Bulgaria, drivers in major cities like Burgas, Varna, and now Plovdiv are demanding a substantial hike in fares to cope with rising operational costs
Two infants from Kyustendil have tragically lost their lives after contracting whooping cough
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
