Several thousand people took part in a gay pride march in Romania on Saturday as the LBGT community pushes to get same-sex unions legalized in the socially conservative country.
Romania decriminalized homosexuality in 2001, but still bars marriage and same-sex civil partnerships.
Same-sex unions conducted in other countries aren’t recognized either. More than 20 couples have sued Romania for discrimination at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, over their lack of legal protection.
An estimated 2,000 people joined the march on Saturday on Bucharest’s Calea Victoriei, dancing and waving rainbow flags.
One held a poster saying “Equal rights for my family.”
“We will color the city in the colors of love and liberty,” organizers said ahead of the march.
The director of advocacy group ACCEPT which organized the event was fined 7,000 lei, about 1,450 euros because there were too many people. Pandemic restrictions allow a maximum 500 people at public gatherings.
Traffic was diverted in the city center. There was additional police presence on main roads.
Earlier, a far-right group held a counter-rally in downtown Bucharest. Participants listened to prayers and music, and speeches claiming the pride march was a threat to traditional family values.
A carried out by ACCEPT in April claimed one-quarter of Romanians are in favor of same-sex marriage. A further 43% say there should be some form of legal protection for same-sex families.
Polls show however that despite a shift in attitudes to the community, the majority of Romanians still oppose legalizing gay unions.
Romanian authorities do about-face, allow Bucharest Pride march to take place in heart of city
