site.btaPride Parade Is Held in Sofia

ofia, June 9 (BTA) - A Pride Parade is held for the 11th time in Sofia on Saturday, with the organizers expecting 4,000 persons to take part in the event. As every other year, the security measures have been stepped up to prevent clashes with opponents of the parade, which brings in public focus the right to equal living for LGBTI people.

Several control checkpoints are open around the Monument to the Soviet Army, where an opening concert is to be held in the evening. Mounted police are also present.

This year's edition of Sofia Pride is held under the motto "Different People, Equal Rights!" The cause has yet again been supported by a joint declaration from foreign ambassadors to Bulgaria, including the ones of Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the Bulgarian offices of UNICEF, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The declaration reads that Sofia Pride is held during the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency, which is an opportunity to express support for human rights and tolerance, celebrate diversity and condemn homo- and transfphobia.

Sofia Pride's programme features a concert in downtown Sofia with the participation of popular musicians, followed by a parade. For the first time, the programme also features accompanying events throughout the month, such as thematic exhibitions, shows, a film festival, sports events, and discussion forums.

As in previous years, Sofia Pride caused a strong opposition among people who consider it a threat to traditional family values.

A Sofia municipal councillor from the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO), part of the United Patriots coalition in Parliament, sent an alert to the Interior Minister insisting that Sofia Pride be banned, and the Patriots for Sofia - IMRO and Ataka political group in the Sofia Municipal Council adopted a declaration against Sofia City Hall's support for some of the events within Sofia Pride's programme. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has also taken a stand against Sofia Pride.

Three counter-events are planned for Saturday: "March for Family", a concert entitled "To Revive Family Values", and a protest under the motto "Let's Save the Children of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Family".