Latvia:Gay men and women from Latvia and other European nations held a parade under tight security in a fenced park yesterday, ensuring there was no repeat of scenes last year when excrement and eggs were thrown at gays.
Latvia, like many other countries in eastern Europe, has a conservative and often hostile attitude towards homosexuality. Last year officials banned a Gay Pride march and anti-gay protesters targeted participants at other events.
About 500 people gathered in the park in the centre of the capital, Riga, which has a high fence round it. Police were stationed on the park's perimeter.
Small groups of anti-gay protesters shouted insults but there was no violence. Police said two people were arrested.
Inside the park bursts of The Beatles' song All You Need Is Love could be heard. Politicians from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the European Parliament joined the march. They included Swedish immigration minister Tobias Billström.
"The fact we can organise this march this year shows there has been an improvement even if we have to do it in a park," said Spanish European Parliament member Raul Romeva.
About 1km (0.6 miles) away, some 1,500 people attended a World Against Homosexuals concert. "I am here to show that I don't like gay people," said Peteris Grabs (19), wearing a T-shirt with a picture of two men having sex.
The EU criticised Latvia for banning last year's gay parade.
- (Reuters)