Tens of thousands turn out for Gay Pride in European cities

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

ROME (AFP) — Tens of thousands took to the streets of Athens, Rome and Warsaw for Gay Pride parades Saturday, drawing attention to the fact that many homosexuals in Europe still do not enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals.

"We have even more reasons to be here today than in previous years," Vladimir Luxuria -- an Italian transvestite and former left-wing deputy -- said in Rome, where tens of thousands took part in the parade.

Rome's parade sparked particular contraversy this year as new mayor Gianni Alemanno in May denounced the event as "an act of sexual exhibition" and vowed to make sure the demonstration would not offend anybody.

At the national level, the political climate does not look any more promising for gay rights in Italy as new Prime Minister...