Sat, Nov 21 2009
Last year's rally was subject to violent attacks
Photo: Reuters
September 20 2009 event planned against background of homophobic graffiti and memories of a 2001 event that ended in turmoil.
Despite a modest turnout, those who participated in the Rainbow Friendship parade 2009 had something to celebrate when they reached the Red House.
Four religious communities join Bulgarian Christian Orthodox church and the country's Muslim community in their calls for a ban on the Rainbow Friendship march scheduled for June 27
Western embassies support the Rainbow parade after criticism from conservative groups and the clergy and silence from politicians
Group of theology students march through Sofia, saying that Rainbow Friendship Rally planned for June 27 is dangerous and immoral
We are not against self determination but against the insolent demonstration of homosexual orientation organisers say
Nancy McEldowney becomes second Western ambassador, after the UK’s Steve Williams, to issue a statement of support for Bulgaria’s second gay pride parade.
Steve Williams, British ambassador to Bulgaria, sent out a statement unequivocally supporting the upcoming second gay pride parade in Sofia.
International Queer Solidarity Network called for international support for Bulgaria's second Gay Pride parade.
At about 4.25pm on June 28, on Мостът на влюбените (The Lovers' bridge) near the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, there are only random onlookers and a pack of journalists waiting under the blazing sun. Cameras and camcorders rise in the air, ready to catch some action. Then suddenly, police officers begin to roam about the gathered people. After heated debates and a preceding Week of Intolerance, declared by the Bulgarian National Union (BNU), the first gay parade in Bulgaria is expected to begin in 5 minutes.
Amid threats of mass-staged protests and opposition from political and religious quarters, Bulgaria will see its first ever gay parade on June 28 in Sofia. After the announcement of the event, the right-wing Bulgarian National Union (BNU) reacted with a news conference on June 22, where it declared a Week of Intolerance. The union has vowed to organise a counter-event on the day of the parade, a protest
A display of greater maturity and healthier morality by Bulgarian society in its reaction to plans for a gay pride parade in Sofia would have been encouraging. A succession of reports on the state of human rights in Bulgaria and by commentators with a special interest in gay issues have expressed profound concern at enduring homophobia in the country. As recently as December 2007, a survey by the Skala agency found
The European Commission is taking Bulgaria to court for delays in providing Sofia with adequate waste disposal facilities.
James Warlick is the spouse of Mary Warlick, director of the office of Russian affairs at the US state department, who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to Serbia
Bulgaria’s Health Ministry announced on November 20 2009 that the flu epidemic declared two weeks earlier is at an end as rates of infection decline. The announcement coincides with reports of two deaths from A (H1N1) flu in Bulgaria.
Acting on allegations by Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov, prosecutors and Government officials are to probe deals by which Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan acquired various properties.
Prosecutors allege that a deal agreed by the former defence minister caused losses of 12.9 million leva.
said Rasate. "He has no right to tell Bulgarians how to live in Bulgaria. Europe has been ruled by homosexuals for a long time. We do not care how they live, but we do not want them to impose their pervert values on us." WOW...Does this mean all presidents, prime ministers & government ministers ARE GAY - (bet no one has told Gordon Brown, Barack Obama, Sarkovy and now that Russia comes 'under' Europe Mr Putin amongst many others that they're gay!!) I thought Bulgarians liked gays, there are so many here and as long as they do not cause trouble who cares what their sexual preferences are? When people make a fuss about someone else's private lovelife it just shows their insecurities about their own. Rasate you are an ignorant bigot, and by all accounts generally not a very nice person - tollerance is a virtue. To each their own. ;-)
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Herman, Maybe these 'queers' -Bulgarian citizens themselves - don't want you in their country either. Maybe you should be exported out of Bulgaria!
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Herman, since there are so many in Bulgaria the country would be a lonely place if they all went to Britain. Just look around you.
I agree with the far right on this i do not want these queers in my country send them to the UK they love them so much.