Sofia’s first gay parade in June 2008 was attacked with Molotov cocktails. Photo by BGNES
(source)
There was an LGBT Pride Parade planned for June 30th in Sofia, Bulgaria, and it seems that some have yet to take the view that these things are inherently harmless and boring:
On June 6, Father Evgeni Yanakiev of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was quoted in the newspaper Standart as saying: “Our whole society must, in every possible way, oppose the gay parade that is being planned. For this reason, today I appeal to all those who consider themselves Christians and Bulgarians. Throwing stones at gays is an appropriate way.” On June 12, Father Yanakiev confirmed his statement in an interview on Bulgarian national radio. … It is all the more chilling given that two previous pride parades, in Sofia, have been marred by violent attacks on participants. …
After Father Yanakiev made his statements about this year’s parade, the Holy Synod – the highest authority in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – was urged to denounce his call for violence. But in a statement on June 13, the Holy Synod did not even address the incitement to hatred and violence. Instead, it said that homosexuality is “an unnatural lust that unconditionally harms both the personality of those who commit it and the society as a whole” and confirmed the church’s firm opposition to such “immoral manifestations” as the pride parade. (source)
Fortunately, the event took place without disturbances. More on gay rights, stoning and incitement. More absurd human rights violations.
