Gay Pride Marches In Balkans Face Hostility

A rainbow flag on Zagreb's central square ahead of the rally

Gay pride rallies were being held in several Balkan capitals on June 18, with hundreds of police on duty to protect the marchers following calls by extremist groups to stop the marches.

Organizers said nearly 1,000 people joined the fourth gay pride rally in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, and hundreds gathered in Croatia's capital, Zagreb.

The Hungarian capital Budapest was also hosting a gay pride event. The marches come a day after the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution that seeks equal rights for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.

compiled from agency reports