Tens of thousands marched through the Romanian capital in the biggest ever pride parade in its 19-year history at a time when attitudes are slowly relaxing toward same-sex relationships in the socially conservative country.
Participants shouted: “We are ready! We are ready!” carrying rainbow flags and umbrellas and marched from the government offices to the Parliament,” on a blazing hot Saturday.
Organizers said some 27,000 took part in the rally, higher than last year’s 25,000. A counter-demonstration calling itself „The March of Normality is for the real family” was staged outside the government earlier Saturday.
Those participants carried religious icons and ostensibly wore crosses around their neck, linking their beliefs to the dominant Romanian Orthodox Church which is against same-sex relationships.
But organizers of the Bucharest Pride march said they were encouraged by the turnout. „The presence of the 27,000 people today shows Romanian society is ready to respect and protect all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” despite a lack of action from politicians,” organizers said.
The pride march came almost four years after Romania held a failed referendum to ban same sex marriage. Romanians are becoming more open and accepting of same-sex relationships especially in the cities.
A recent poll showed 56% of Romanians agree with civil marriage, and civil partnerships for same-sex families, while 72% say heterosexual families would not be impacted if LGBTQIA+ families had equal rights
Romania, which decriminalized homosexuality in 2001, decades after its neighbors, remains socially conservative and still bars marriage and civil partnerships for same sex couples.
Buoyed by the rally, LGBT rights group Accept said: „It is a joy to see so many people on the street, tens of thousands, on the occasion of Bucharest Pride. Year after year we take to the streets to claim our rights and to send a clear message to the state that we are tired of being treated as second-class citizens.”
„Society is changing… (and) today a majority of Romanians say they agree with the legalization of civil partnerships and the recognition of gay couples. Romania also has convictions at the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, which oblige Romania to offer legal protection to same-sex couples.”
The U.S. Embassy published a statement signed by 24 diplomatic missions in support of Pride March.
„On the occasion of the 19th edition, we, the undersigned diplomatic missions, and international organizations in Bucharest, express our public support for Bucharest Pride 2024. This event celebrates the diversity, visibility, resilience, and dignity of the LGBTIQ+ community in Romania.
Whether in Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Oradea or Timișoara, Pride marches are part of our commitment to equality and diversity. We would like to express our appreciation to the organizers, volunteers and participants for their work and commitment defending and promoting human rights for all.
We reaffirm our strong belief that the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and human rights for all, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics must be respected, promoted and protected worldwide. These are part of our core values, and we will defend them at home and globally.
We firmly support the LGBTIQ+ community in Romania in its pursuit of equal rights in accordance with international and EU human rights law and the principle of universal human rights. LGBTIQ+ rights have been repeatedly upheld by judgements of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union. These judgements are binding upon the Romanian state and must be implemented. This includes effective measures for combating hate crimes, legal protection for same-sex families and a transparent, consistent, and accessible legal gender recognition procedure for transgender people. Romania will benefit from ensuring that all people enjoy the full protection of the law in accordance with international human rights standards.
We recognize the steps taken towards achieving full equality for LGBTIQ+ people, but also that more needs to be done worldwide and in Romania. We will continue to work with Romanian authorities and civil society to ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
Signed by the following diplomatic missions and international organizations in Bucharest, listed in alphabetical order:
Australian Embassy, Athens
Austrian Embassy
Embassy of Belgium in Romania
British Embassy in Bucharest
Embassy of Canada to Romania, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova
Embassy of Chile in Romania
Embassy of Cyprus
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bucharest
Embassy of Denmark in Romania
Embassy of the Republic of Finland in Romania
Embassy of the French Republic in Romania
Embassy of Germany in Romania
Embassy of Greece in Bucharest
Embassy of Ireland
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Romania
Embassy of Mexico in Romania
New Zealand Embassy to Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Moldova and Romania
Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest
Embassy of Portugal in Bucharest
Embassy of Spain in Romania
Embassy of Sweden Bucharest
Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Romania
Embassy of the United States of America in Romania
European Commission Representation in Romani.”
PHOTOS | Thousands take part in Pride March in Romanian capital
