Opponents of the gay pride march attempted to disrupt by tearing down banners. Still, the move was enough to prompt organiser Stas Mischenko to accuse them of “depriving our right to freedom of assembly” and an alternative location had to be hastily arranged. In reality it would seem that, whilst this was a consideration, the amount of anti-LGBT demonstrators that also submitted applications to hold parallel marches may have more profoundly influenced the authorities’ decision.
However, the Kiev district city court banned the event citing the clash with Kiev Day, a series of cultural events held across the city. The parade was originally planned to take place in the centre of town, beginning at Independence Square, the scene of Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution which (temporarily) overthrew pro-Russian President Victor Yanukovich. The event took place amidst an unprecedented amount of security with several hundred riot police and Special Forces drafted in to protect participants from thousands of protesters from the Orthodox Church, Ukrainian and Russian nationalists and football hooligans. Last week, around 50 LGBT activists gathered on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital Kiev to conduct the first ever equality march in the post-Soviet nation’s history. (Photos: Ivan Chernichkin for Index on Censorship)ĭespite an initial ban by the authorities, Ukraine successfully held the country’s first ever gay pride parade but the level of intimidation faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and proposed legislation outlawing ‘homosexual propaganda’ are causing concern for many. Got a big SLR camera? Well strap it round your neck, pretend you’re an official photographer and make tonnes of new friends! Not that I would ever do that… Saturday from 1pm.Despite intolerance and government suppression, LGBT supporters held the first gay pride march in the Ukraine. If you can stomach the crowds, take to the streets of Central London and lap up the best of city life. Need something to calm you down a little bit after Saturday’s festivities? Well the oldest LGBT orchestra in the UK will be performing at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate in Holborn. Pop out to Shoreditch Park if only to see the original Atomic Kitten come face to face with the team behind the amazing parody of their hit single Whole Again, Queens of Pop.
I’ll definitely be making sure I catch the performance from the raspy voice of the Happy Mondays and X Factor fame, Rowetta! Saturday, from 1pm – 8pm. Seven hours of live entertainment from the main stage.
With over 150 groups registered to take part in this year’s procession, grab your spot on Oxford or Regent Street for a spectacular show of colour, cheer and purpose.
Here is my pick of the top 5 things to do at Pride in London 2013. So if you’re in the capital this week, take yourself out onto the streets and be proud with your fellow Londoners.