ΤΟ ΠΡΩΤΟ PRIDE ΣΤΗ ΜΟΛΔΑΒΙΑ

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.

The Pride March 2013 was attended by the Swedish and the American ambassador, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy as well as representatives of ILGA Europe and the European parliament who held speeches in front of the participants and several local media.

The  festivities began with the 12th Pride festival “Rainbow over the Dniester” in Chisinau. The program included a conference about the importance of good partnerships in the fight against discrimination, a flower-laying ceremony at the Victims of Repressions’ Monument as well as a theatre performance and other cultural events.

Today on the last day of the festival, the Pride March under the slogan “LGBT for Traditional Values” took place despite groups related to the Orthodox Church trying to cancel the march and calling for a counter demonstration. (oblogdeeoblogda.me, 19/5/2013)