The best pictures of Sofia Pride haters don’t want you to see

Photo: @lewbomear | Instagram

Sofia Pride Parade took the streets on 9 June, while three counter-protests ‘in defense of family’ were taking place.

The 11th Pride in the Bulgarian capital, whose theme this year was ‘Different People, Same Rights’, attracted a relatively large crowd and a few haters.

Conservative groups promoted three events boycotting Pride: a Family March, a concert To Revive Family Values, organized by right-wing Vazrazhdane Party, and Let’s Save the Children of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Family.

Homophobic groups tried to interrupt the march. According to online newspaper The Sofia Globe, ‘four people were taken into custody, from an extremist group that purported a link between gay people and pedophilia’.

Nonetheless, the parade continued peacefully, thanks to the cooperation of the police.

Although once again with the presence of a large anti-Pride group, Sofia celebrated its 11th Pride yesterday! My heart is full! I wish I could’ve been there with you!❤️

9th June 2018
Sofia, Bulgaria

Photos by @peopleofsofia on Instagram!#SofiaPride #SofiaPride2018 #pride2018 pic.twitter.com/zyPRWUJEaW

— chris (@notablyflippy) June 10, 2018

Ambassadors to Bulgaria advocating for equal rights

Sofia Pride relied on the participation of international ambassadors, advocating for equality. Among the marchers, British ambassador Emma Hopkins, who tweeted her support.

Happy Pride, Sofia! I love being here with you all celebrating love, courage, diversity, and of course being your fierce self! #SofiaPride2018 #LoveIsGREAT pic.twitter.com/9TNKqm4VLG

— Emma Hopkins (@EHopkinsFCO) June 9, 2018

Dutch ambassador Bea ten Tusscher also joined the celebration.

Proud to march #SofiaPride2018 with colleagues and mayor @SjoerdPotters, @MartTeunissen and @Gijshouben. Big and happy crowd celebrates #Diversity #EqualRights! @DutchMFA #vvdkleurtroze pic.twitter.com/y4ucax614i

— Bea ten Tusscher (@beatentusscher) June 9, 2018

Same-sex rights in Bulgaria

There is no recognition of same-sex relationship in Bulgaria. The constitution defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman, banning same-sex marriage.

Many Bulgarian same-sex couples who tied the knot abroad are currently striving to see their unions recognized in their own country.

#SofiaPride2018 with Lilly and Danira a Bulgarian couple fighting for their marriage recognition! So proud of them! pic.twitter.com/rAuGvjrNJY

— Cristina Palma (@lifecreativist) June 10, 2018

More pictures of Sofia Pride this way.