The first-ever Gay Pride parade in Bulgaria finally hit the streets of Sofia on June 28. Vigorous threats of violence and mass hysteria notwithstanding, close to 150 people found the courage to march on the streets with balloons, carrying symbolic rainbow-like flags.
After changing the planned route a couple of times for safety reasons, the parade started at Мостът на влюбените (The Lovers’ Bridge), continued on to Evlogi Georgiev boulevard and ended at the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate.
The parade started rather strangely with – seemingly – more curious spectators and action-hungry journalists than participants. And of course, many police officers were also on guard.
“Come on fags, bring it on!” screamed a young man, no more than about 16, clapping his hands in a macho posture as the surrounding crowd expanded.
As if to strike a nice balance and ease the growing impatience among the crowd, an elderly man found the right moment to play the kaval (a traditional Bulgarian shepherd’s flute), begging for some small change. Later, when the hissing sound of falling fireworks began to disrupt the crowd’s buzz, the kaval’s melody would disappear, just like a hushed bird before the thunder.
“I’m just passing by with my granddaughter and decided to see what’s going on,” Mariana Kostova said. She looked around as if to find something worth seeing and justify her presence. “I don’t approve of this demonstration. I think it’s a bad example for children,” she said, glancing at her 12-year-old granddaughter Veronika, standing by her side.
“I think this (the parade) is an ugly and indecent thing,” the little girl remarked. “But this is Bulgaria, and there are no laws here.”
The Pride, organised by the Bulgarian gay organisation Gemini, passed under the motto Аз и моето семейство (Me and my family).
“Tolerance, tolerance,” the marchers chanted while walking on Evlogi Georgiev boulevard. Just then a flying egg burst on the asphalt, eliciting a “F... you” from a girl nearby.
“You know, we’re good people who lead normal lives,” Petar, 18, said with a smile, carrying a bouquet of balloons. “In every country staging the first Pride rally, there are always threats and provocations,” he said. “But our community is stronger than that. We hope that there is no open violence today.”
Unfortunately, skinheads and members of the Bulgarian National Union (BNU) had other ideas. The latter had declared a Week of Intolerance under the motto ‘Be intolerant, be normal’. On the day of the parade, BNU leader Boyan Rassate arrived at The Lovers’ Bridge with a number of supporters. The Bulgarian Interior Ministry posted a statement on its website saying that Rassate was detained while walking with his supporters because some of them had apparently thrown home-made smokebombs at a police officer’s feet.
In reality, what provoked such action was the appearance of Milena, wearing a silver-flicking dress, a stylish hairdo and heavy make-up.
“Die, you filthy transvestite!” a young man shouted through clenched teeth as she passed alongside him. He then reached out his hand and hit Milena on the shoulder. She pretended that nothing happened and did not turn around, saying nothing. Yet her eyes filled with tears.
Then the hissing sound of falling fireworks was heard, followed by a shrieking mini-explosion. Shortly afterwards, rumours began to circulate that police had conducted a mass arrest, resulting in the detention of more than 80 people. Many of them had been armed with knuckle-dusters, clubs and small fireworks. Rassate was bailed after 24 hours in detention. Throughout the parade several Molotov cocktails were thrown, but no one was hurt.
Aksinia Gencheva, Gemini’s executive director, was quoted by the media as saying that she had received death threats and warnings of revenge if the parade went ahead. Gencheva preached tolerance and peace before and after the event.
