The United Nations in Moldova welcomes the statements by ombudsman Anatolie Munteanu and Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, condemning expressions of hatred against sexual minorities. On the other hand, the Bessarabian Metropolitan Church says the holding of the gay parade in central Chisinau represents an impudent defiance of the people who are educated in a Christian culture that is two millenniums old, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a press release, the United Nations in Moldova says it welcomes the efforts of a number of responsible parties - in particular the Mayor of Chisinau, the Centre for Human Rights, and a coalition of civil society organisations - to affirm the right of peaceful public assembly, as well as to calm a developing atmosphere of incitement to hatred of sexual minorities. "We welcome these affirmations of the right of peaceful public assembly, and of the right of all to non-discrimination. We herewith add our voices to those who affirm that a successful Pride event in Chisinau this year is one key litmus test for Moldova as a society based on the rule of law,” it is said in the press release. In a communique, the Bessarabian Metropolitan Church says it is a shame for a Christian country to transform the deviant sexual life of a small group of people into a propaganda subject and public demonstration in the center of Chisinau. The Church calls on the decision makers to treat the created situation with maximum responsibility, take into account the opinions of the largest part of the population, defend the moral values and not allow actions that propagate immorality. An initiative group informed the Chisinau City Hall abut the intention to stage the gay parade in the Great National Assembly Square in Chisinau on May 2. Last year, the homosexuals gave up holding the parade in protest against the violation of the right to free assembly.