June 1, 2008
Gay rights activists march in Latvia
David Foucher READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Gay rights activists and their opponents have squared off during a parade in downtown Riga.
City officials shut a wide boulevard for several hours Saturday to allow a march by about 300 people. Security forces protected the marchers from about 400 anti-gay demonstrators shouting slogans and waving banners.
A police spokeswoman said five people were detained including one person on the parade and four protesters.
Latvia, as well as its Baltic neighbours Estonia and Lithuania, has been criticised by human rights organisations for intolerance toward sexual minorities.
No Latvian politicians showed up to support the marchers but on Friday President Valdis Zatlers called on society to be tolerant toward sexual minorities.
David Foucher is the CEO of the EDGE Media Network and Pride Labs LLC, is a member of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association, and is accredited with the Online Society of Film Critics. David lives with his daughter in Dedham MA.
