Protesters disrupt Bulgarian gay pride event
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SOFIA, BULGARIA — Extremists throwing rocks, bottles and gasoline bombs attacked the Bulgarian capital’s first gay pride parade.
Police said they prevented the extremists from harming the 150 or so people in the procession through Sofia. No serious injuries were reported.
Officials said they had detained about 60 people for harassing the parade participants.
Gays face widespread hostility in Bulgaria, and opposition to Saturday’s parade had been fierce.
The far-right Bulgarian National Union had called for “open resistance” to the gay pride parade with a campaign featuring posters that say: “Be Intolerant, Be Normal.”
Bulgaria’s influential Orthodox Church said the march should have been banned as it undermines the country’s Christian traditions.
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