Source: AFP, Radio Netherlands
Thousands took to the streets of Athens, Rome and Warsaw for Gay Pride parades, drawing attention to the fact that many gay people in Europe still do not enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals.
Marchers in Warsaw were separated from right wing demonstrators by heavy police presence.
The Athens parade was headed by Evangelia Vlami, one of the four gay newly-weds married last Tuesday by the mayor of the island of Tilos, who took advantage of a legal loophole.
Vlami, head of the Greek Union of Homosexuals and Lesbians (Olke), rode at the head of the parade that drew twice as many participants this year as in previous years.
About 2,000 gays, lesbians, and supporters took to the streets in the Greek capital according to AFP, many wearing banners with "Say yes to me" and "Yes to political marriage".
Despite the generally upbeat mood in Athens, police had to intervene to disperse dozens of extreme right sympathizers who tried to disrupt the parade, according to a report published by Radio Netherlands.
The weekend's largest Pride observance took place in Rome where tens of thousands turned out in an event that sparked greater controversy because of recent elections of right-wing politicians, according to AFP.
In May, Rome's new mayor, Gianni Alemanno, denounced the event as "an act of sexual exhibition" and vowed to make sure the demonstration would not offend anybody.
"We have even more reasons to be here today than in previous years," Vladimir Luxuria - an Italian transvestite and former left-wing deputy - said in Rome, where tens of thousands took part in the parade.
At the national level, the political climate does not look any more promising for gay rights in Italy because new prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's conservative coalition shares close ties with the Vatican.
"With the right in power, Gay Pride is becoming a demonstration for freedom and against authoritarianism," said Franco Grillini, also an ex-deputy from the left and founder of the homosexual rights group Arcigay.
Full article: Thousands parade for Gay Pride in Europe | AFP
Gay Pride held in Athens, Warsaw and Rome | Radio Netherlands