A gay pride parade was held in the capital of Moldova, despite the protest of the mayor
The gay pride parade in Moldova on Sunday was casual and uninteresting. About 200 LGBT representatives marched through the center of Chisinau with traditional rainbow flags. The small number of human beings was compensated by dogs decorated with the same symbols.
In addition to animals, members of parliament from the ruling PAS party and European diplomats appeared in the procession.
The day before there was no sign of such boredom. After all, the mayor of Chisinau, Ion Ceban, refused to coordinate the route of the procession.
“Given the fact that in this context the most ardent defenders and critics of the mayor’s position were government officials, I repeat the proposal to hold this parade of homosexuals in the government of the Republic of Moldova, parliament and presidency,” Ceban said.
The Moldavian Orthodox Church came out strongly against the gay pride parade. The People's Assembly of Gagauzia (autonomy within Moldova) adopted a resolution “On the prohibition of propaganda of non-traditional relationships, LGBT people on the territory of ATU Gagauzia (Gagauz Yeri). In addition, posters “No to homosexual dictatorship” and “Moldova against the Pride festival” were hung on the windows of the parliament.
Despite all this, gay activists demonstrated optimism and faith in victory. Thus, a woman with a male surname, Angelica Frolov, stated that the LGBT march would take place in exactly the same place as planned.
“We will close the street on June 19 from 12:00 to 13:00. This was confirmed by the police today. What the mayor says is his fantasy. We don’t need permission,” Frolov said.
And so it happened. Police forces several times greater than those marching were pulled into the center of Chisinau. They blocked street traffic, including public transport. Work at construction sites was stopped. An Orthodox religious procession was not allowed into the city (it took place only in Balti in northern Moldova).
Outraged citizens shouted “Shame!” from behind the police.
To the organizers of the gay pride parade, all these measures seemed insufficient. At the end of the event, they asked to “hide any LGBT symbols and rainbow flags because it may be unsafe.”
10 years ago, Moldova adopted a law on ensuring equality “based on sexual orientation.” Since then, the Moldova Pride LGBT festival has been held in Chisinau every year with the support of Western embassies, which regularly hang rainbow flags on their buildings.
Inspired by the example of the curators, Moldova appointed Viorel Ursa, who is an open homosexual, as Ambassador to the United States. And ruling party deputy Mihai Popsoi promised to consider the possibility of hanging LGBT flags on the building of the Moldovan government and the presidency. This has not been done yet.
A gay pride parade was held in the capital of Moldova, despite the mayor's protest.