A Ukrainian court rejected a request from gay rights activists to hold their nation’s first pride parade through the streets of Kiev, citing concerns about violence.
The planned “Equality March,” the first of its kind for Kiev, was aimed at raising awareness of what activists characterize as rampant discrimination against the gay community, Agence France-Presse reported. But the court was concerned that a counter-parade of family traditionalists scheduled for the same time and place would lead to clashes.
Police and city officials said they received more than 500 complaints about the gay march. Meanwhile, 61 lawmakers joined together and petitioned the court via letter to ban all gay pride events for the months of May and June, AFP said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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