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Every year during the month of June, millions of people celebrate GLBT pride. And every year, they are met with opposition. But, as Iain Clacher discovers, it will take more than just sticks and stones to quell any pride party.
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For much of the world, June is the month of Pride – a time in which gays and lesbians take to the streets to celebrate with marches and parades.
Every year it seems some new location joins the Pride craze, and this year the honour belonged to Bangalore in India, which was part of a trio of coordinated processions that also involved New Delhi and Kolkata.
Ironically, some Indian marchers could only celebrate their pride by hiding behind masks.
“I am wearing a mask because of several reasons – social pressure, the reservations of friends, family,” a young gay student told AFP News.
The marchers called for the repeal of the country’s colonial-era anti-gay laws, which although rarely used, can land consenting adults in prison for up to ten years.
For a while, Cuba looked all set to host its first ever Pride March too.
The omens looked good. President Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela, had spoken out against homophobia at a public rally in May, and the Communist regime also announced it would provide free gender reassignment surgery to transgender people.
However, the march was cancelled moments before it was due to begin on June 25 following the arrests of two of the organisers.
Shortly after, however, an impromptu rally was held in Miami.
Meanwhile, some of Cuba’s former Cold War allies also had their own Pride problems this year with violence from right-wing nationalists.
Hungarian riot police used water cannons and tear gas to stop fascists throwing petrol bombs, rotten eggs and faeces at revellers in Budapest’s gay pride parade.
Last year, Amnesty International criticised Hungarian police for failing to prevent similar violence.
The Czech Republic’s first Pride parade was marred by attacks, and in Bulgaria, petrol bombs, stones and squid failed to stop about 150 marchers from celebrating Pride in the capital, Sofia.
However, in Berlin, the Pride parade began for the first time in the east of the once-divided city. On route, the marchers placed a single rose at the newly-unveiled monument to gay victims of the Nazis.
London’s newly-elected Tory mayor, Boris Johnson, donned a pink cowboy hat to lead tens of thousands in that city’s annual parade last weekend.
Johnson endured some boos and catcalls from those who remembered his comparison of civil partnerships to marrying a dog, but many others welcomed his participation.
Meanwhile, an estimated 1.2 million tourists descended on the world’s unofficial gay capital for San Francisco Pride, with many reportedly signing up to get hitched while in town.
The parade’s grand marshals included Cyndi Lauper, Charo and Stuart Milk, nephew of slain gay icon Harvey Milk.
Milk spoke of ditching the word “tolerance” in favour of “inclusion”.
“We are stronger as we are included,” he said. “That’s Harvey’s message. I think it’s absolutely important that we continue that message.”
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World Pride Day
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