Members of the LGBT community (homosexuals, gas, bisexuals, and transsexuals), who staged an equality march on May 17, were booed by counterdemonstrators who shouted and behaved aggressively, wanting to attack the participants in the demonstration. Some of the counterdemonstrators, who included representatives of the Church, wore masks, IPN reports.
The march set off from Grigore Vieru Blvd in Chisinau and lasted for only half an hour. The participants were protected by hundreds of police officers equipped with nightsticks and helmets, but no guns.
Angela Frolov, program coordinator at the Information Center “Genderdoc-M” that promotes the LGBT people’s rights, said the message of the event was adopting a tolerant attitude towards the LGBT community and protecting the human rights and civic equality of everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Center’s executive director Anastasia Danilov said the march was timed to coincide with the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. “We are glad that our relatives, friends and parents are near us and support us and are against homophobia,” she stated.
General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBT people of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Robert Biedroń, from Poland, said that in his country the LGBT people struggled for the freedom of assembly and came into conflict with counterdemonstrators who attacked them with stones and Molotov cocktails. “But we won and obtained the right to free assembly. I’m sure that one day you will also march in peace and freedom,” said the official.
UN Resident Coordinator Nicola Harrington-Buhay said the LGBT people have the right to free assembly. “We welcome this event that contributes to inclusive development when every person can live without fear and discrimination. A society is powerful when those who need protection most of all enjoy it and when the rights of those vulnerable are supported and respected,” she stated.
The march was also attended by representatives of embassies working in Moldova.
After half an hour of marching, the participants got onto a bus and travelled to another area, being booed by the counterdemonstrators.
In front of the square of the Metropolitan Cathedral, several Orthodox Christians and priests gathered together to express their dissatisfaction against the LGBT people’s march. The Christians said the homosexuals and lesbians cannot be accepted in society as this is against the Christian values.
