Olomouc, North Moravia, Aug 1 (CTK) – Some 80 people participated in a colourful parade of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals held in the centre of Olomouc for the first time Saturday.
The first Rainbow Pride Olomouc, inspired by the Prague Pride event, was to show the public that people from the LGBT community do not feel ashamed of their orientation.
The march with flags, accompanied by six police cars, drew a high attention. Some passers-by wanted to join it since they mistakenly supposed that it expressed disagreement with the strong influx of immigrants.
“I was inspired by Prague Pride. There are still some people who condemn homosexuals. We wanted to show that we are normal people and above all stage a small party in the city,” the organiser, student Petr Milov, 24, told CTK.
Some 1000 LGBT people live in the 100,000 Olomouc, but only a fraction of them participated in the march, Milov said.
Not only inhabitants of Olomouc, but also those from its surroundings were among the participants.
“This is about pride, there is nothing to be ashamed of, though the atmosphere here is much more relaxed now. I am a bisexual. In my opinion, this march should remind people of our existence. However, it is not about promotion, but about pride to say that we are normal people,” 40-year-old Eda told CTK, adding she had attended Prague Pride two years ago.
The participants dressed in colourful outfits were carrying flags and blowing trumpets.
Many inhabitants of Olomouc as well as tourists were taking pictures of the march. Some people misunderstood its purpose and asked what they are protesting against.
“I though they were against refugees. I wanted to join them,” an elderly woman told CTK.
Within the event, people could also undergo HIV tests and attend a party in a local club.
The organisers say they hope they have created a new tradition and that they will succeed in staging the parade i Olomouc next year as well.
Prague Pride Festival with a carnival parade, which inspired the organisers in Olomouc, took place in Prague for the first time in August 2011. It provoked strong protests of conservative circles.
This year, the Prague Pride march of the LBGT community should be held from Wenceslas square in the historical centre to Letna on August 15.
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