Cathy Kristofferson | Oblogdeeoblogda | May 19, 2013
I just saw this on twitter and cheered out loud:
First Pride March held in Moldova http://t.co/NGwq6Bepbr[@Eastbook_en] EurAlmanac16:15
I cheered not only because I was thrilled for the Moldovan LGBT community, but also for the bitter defeat this must be for Scott Lively, who has worked so hard for so long to deny our community its rights all over the world, including the former Soviet Republic.
A brief history of Pride event attempts in Moldova:
In Moldova, the Chisinau City Hall banned gay pride demonstrations in 2005, 2006, and 2007. On May 11, 2008, GenderDoc-M attempted to organize a gay pride parade in the capital once again. However, the bus which carried approximately 60 pride participants was met with opposition from extremist neo-fascist and other groups. The overwhelmed and outnumbered LGBT advocates called off the march. Moldovan police was reportedly present at the event; however they stood passively by a hundred meters away and made no attempt to help the trapped participants.
Photo: Civil Rights Defenders.
Today it is an historic day for people fighting for LGBT rights as well as a victory for freedom of assembly in Moldova. Civil rights defenders participated in the Pride march held outside the American Embassy. This year for the first time the police, who had in previous years stood by while activists’ lives were put at risk, guaranteed the security of the Pride participants. Around 70 participants from many different countries participated.
Daily Queer News 