Gay-rights organisation calls for support for second Bulgarian Gay Pride parade
Ahead of the second Gay Pride parade in Bulgaria in June 2009, gay-rights organisation International Queer Solidarity Network (IQSN) called for "European mobilization, with support from the United States, that will stand in solidarity with Queer Bulgaria."
The first Gay Pride parade was held in June 2008 and was marred by counter-protests organised by ultra-nationalists Bulgarian National Alliance (BNA).
At the time, BNA called for a "week of intolerance" under the motto `Be intolerant, be normal'.
As The Sofia Echo reported, close to 150 people found the courage to march on the streets with balloons, carrying symbolic rainbow-like flags. BNU leader Boyan Rassate, along with 80 others were arrested.
In a statement published on their website, IQSN accused ultra-nationalists Ataka and Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev of intolerance, saying that Ataka had openly called for "men to beat up gays," and Stanishev was said to have expressed his dislike of "manifestation and demonstration of such orientations."
The first Gay Pride parade was held in June 2008 and was marred by counter-protests organised by ultra-nationalists Bulgarian National Alliance (BNA).
At the time, BNA called for a "week of intolerance" under the motto `Be intolerant, be normal'.
As The Sofia Echo reported, close to 150 people found the courage to march on the streets with balloons, carrying symbolic rainbow-like flags. BNU leader Boyan Rassate, along with 80 others were arrested.
In a statement published on their website, IQSN accused ultra-nationalists Ataka and Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev of intolerance, saying that Ataka had openly called for "men to beat up gays," and Stanishev was said to have expressed his dislike of "manifestation and demonstration of such orientations."