Religious protests hit Romanian Gay Pride

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Gay campaigners marching for tolerance and diversity in Romania were hit with violence and protest last weekend.

Around 500 activists attended a parade on Saturday evening in Bucharest, which was targeted by eggs and anti gay slogans as well as a counter march by the Romanian Christian group Noua Dreapta, promoting “family values.”

Protesters chanted slogans such as “Romania does not need you,” and called the campaigners “an outrage to morality and to the family.”

Homosexuality has been legal in Romania since 2001.

Last year’s Bucharest GayFest celebrations faced similar troubles after a ban was initially overturned.

Gay activists in Moscow were attacked at the end of last month after the Russian gay pride was banned and attendees of the upcoming Warsaw gay pride have been threatened with violence.