Thousands of people gathered for the annual Athens Pride event in the Greek capital on Saturday. The mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, opened the event by stating: “This is the Athens we want: open and inclusive.”
Thousands of Romanians also took to the streets for the Bucharest Pride celebration on Saturday, calling for equal rights, inclusion and greater visibility for LGBTQ+ people.
But the far-right SOS Romania party led by Diana Sosoaca, a member of the European Parliament, held an anti-LGBTQ+ ‘March for Normality’ in Bucharest on the same day, attended by hundreds of people carrying Orthodox Christian icons and crosses.
Sofia Pride participants also encountered opposition on Saturday from a counter-rally backed by religious, nationalist and conservative groups titled ‘March of the Family’ in the Bulgarian capital. It received support from members of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party and was attended by Orthodox Patriarch Daniil and Princess Kalina Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Amid an increased police presence, thousands joined the Sofia Pride march through the centre of the city. Revellers were entertained by a performance by Eurovision Song Contest 2026 winner Dara, singing her hit ‘Bangaranga’.
Read the full article at Balkan Insight (BIRN) →📄Source document: Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas
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Balkan Insight (BIRN)IndependentCenter6 days agoThousands of people participated in Pride events in Athens, Bucharest, and Sofia, celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. In Bucharest, the far-right SOS Romania party organized an opposing 'March for Normality' with anti-LGBTQ+ messages. In Sofia, the 'March of the Family' rally, supported by religious and conservative groups, opposed the Pride parade. Police presence was heightened during the events.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both pro-LGBTQ+ Pride events and their opposing rallies without overtly favoring one side. It includes quotes from officials and descriptions of both celebrations and counter-protests, maintaining a balanced perspective.
Official sources cited
- government Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas
- organisation Diana Sosoaca, SOS Romania party leader
- organisation Progressive Bulgaria party
- organisation Orthodox Patriarch Daniil
Serbia