Moldova’s LGBTIQ community held the most peaceful Pride march in the country’s history last weekend. More than 500 people took part, with a smaller police presence and fewer counterprotesters than in previous years, shortly after the country was recognised for its improved stance on LGBTIQ rights.
The event, which was organised by GenderDoc-M (GDM), Moldova’s oldest and most prominent LGBTIQ group, was held on 18 June in the capital, Chişinău, and attracted people from neighbouring countries. Participants held signs in support of LGBTIQ rights, in Romanian (Moldova’s official language), English, Russian and Ukrainian. Parents of LGBTIQ children wore white smocks that read “free hugs de la mama/tata”.
Some protesters linked to the Orthodox Church stood downtown near the parade route, with placards reading: “We stand for the traditional family”. But there were fewer than 100 of them, less than in recent years. There was also no contact between participants and counterprotesters, when previously direct harassment was been commonplace.
