by CLIVE LEVIEV-SAWYER
Bulgaria’s capital city saw its first Pride Parade in June 2008, an event that saw about 150 people take to the streets with rainbow flags and balloons notwithstanding prior threats of violence. June 2009’s turnout for the Rainbow Friendship parade reportedly also was modest albeit stronger than in the first year – and had the vocal backing of the ambassadors of the United States, United Kingdom and other EU envoys.
In Central and Eastern Europe, gay pride events have been a vexed issue, with ultra-right groups and religious voices vehemently opposed, in some cases leading to violence.
The Sofia Echo for more