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Fri, Feb 10 2012
Parade against gay parade
THE OPPOSING CAMP: Theology students parade on June 21 in protest against plans for the Rainbow Friendship Rally.
Photo: Julia Lazarova
THE OPPOSING CAMP: Theology students parade on June 21 in protest against plans for the Rainbow Friendship Rally.
Photo: Julia Lazarova
Photo: Julia Lazarova
Photo: Julia Lazarova
Photo: Julia Lazarova
Photo: Julia Lazarova
A group made up mainly of theology students marched through Sofia on June 21 2009 to protest against the planned Rainbow Friendship Rally scheduled for Bulgaria's capital city on June 27.
The Rainbow Friendship Rally, described as Sofia's second gay parade - the first in 2008 was marred by disruptions by skinheads and far-right activists - has been sent messages of support by about a dozen Western ambassadors who have called for support for tolerance.
The June 21 parade through Sofia, which started from St Alexander Nevski, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church cathedral in the centre of the city, with the church of St George the Victorious near NDK as its destination, said that its message was not directed against the identity of gay people but that their planned parade was "dangerous and immoral".
The Rainbow Friendship Rally, described as Sofia's second gay parade - the first in 2008 was marred by disruptions by skinheads and far-right activists - has been sent messages of support by about a dozen Western ambassadors who have called for support for tolerance.
The June 21 parade through Sofia, which started from St Alexander Nevski, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church cathedral in the centre of the city, with the church of St George the Victorious near NDK as its destination, said that its message was not directed against the identity of gay people but that their planned parade was "dangerous and immoral".
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Hey! We sometimes do something similar in the U.S.A! I'm glad they are having the freedom to express their beliefs, albeit very controversial. Remember, they should have the right to express their own ideas and beliefs.
Well said, Vladislav!
My translation of what some participants in the protest said in an interview:
http://tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com/94582.html
I haven't translated word for word, but tried my best to convey the meaning in fluent English for my international friends.
Well, I think that everybody has the right to organize a protest (or parade) adn express tehir opinion, it is a democratic country after all, however I think that it would be sad if the situation from an year ago repeats itself. I think it is high time the Bulgarian society show that they are welcoming and accepting nation as they claim to be, well ...3 days to go and we will see that.
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
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It is sad to see a parade intended to deny rights to some Bulgarian citizens led by holy icons of our Savior and of His Blessed Mother, the font of forgiveness. Do all those saints really hate homosexuals as much as the theology students?
Bulgarians should cherish demonstrations in support of human rights. Demonstrations were part of throwing off the Byzantine yoke (twice), the Greek yoke, the Ottoman yoke, the Nazi yoke, and the Communist yoke.
Bulgaria wants its place on the world stage and in Europe. Repression and bigotry don't help, witness the comments of [...]
Read the full comment their Excellencies the Ambassadors.
Students back to your classrooms and read more about Christ's forgiving nature!
Wow, haven't they ever heard that closet cases are the biggest homophobes? Seminary students! Get a clue.