Sofia Gay Parade held amidst threat from ultra-nationalists

700 people today marched under heavy police protection through Sofia in the third gay pride parade to be held in Bulgaria. This came amidst much public and media discussion in recent weeks after a 23 year old man was brutally attacked by Neo-Nazis in an inner Sofia park because he 'looked gay' in their self-styled campaign to 'clean the parks of abnormal people'. Despite entry into the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria still remains a socially conservative country which as one woman at the parade who was holding a placard with 'We, your mothers, support you' said: [Bulgarian] society is intolerant towards Roma, it's intolerant towards people with disablities, but differences must be accepted'. Unfortunately, a majority of Bulgarians do not share the views of this brave mother. As evident in the many comments made on forums about the gay pride parade and gay rights in Bulgaria, many Bulgarians believe that gay people are mentally sick and should see a psychologist. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, who holds considerable sway over Bulgarian society, joined other, mainly extreme right-wing, organisations in condemning the parade. Even an 'anti-parade' was held, with ultra-nationalists holding signs such as 'all abnormals go to Uganda'. On the other hand, NGOs promoting human rights and many ambassadors of western European countries publicly and prominently offered their support.

What may seem contradictory to all this is that while Bulgarian society in general is intolerant to a gay pride parade and gay people, one of the most popular singers in Bulgaria, Azis, happens to be openly gay. However, when asked about the gay pride parade, according to one Bulgarian celebrity gossip website, Azis said that he 'doesn't support such displays' as he doesn't see that it's 'proper'. He added that 'what's the point of parading when trying to promote equality, participants in the parade end up behaving like clowns'.

The big question hanging over Bulgaria is whether it is truly prepared to be a tolerant society fitting the ideals espoused by the EU. Membership into the Union ostensibly was supposed to facilitate greater tolerance in society, however in practice this may take much longer than expected.