BRUSSELS, June 26, 2008  –  Politicians from the European Parliament’s all-party ‘intergroup’ on gay and lesbian rights said last night that they warmly supported the Gay Pride scheduled to take place on Saturday in Sofia.

It will be the very first Pride event to be held in Bulgaria,

“I call upon Bulgarian authorities to give the Pride support and, where necessary, proper and adequate policing,” said Sophie in `t Veld, vice-president of the intergroup for ALDE.

“Sofia has the opportunity to set an example of tolerance and diversity in Europe,” she added.

Michael Cashman, the Intergroup president describen the event as “an important step” towards democracy and equality.

“I congratulate and send my support and solidarity for Bulgaria’s first gay Pride,” he said.

“The rights to peaceful assembly are basic human rights and must be respected by every country.”

Speaking for the EPP-ED political group, Sirpa Pietikäinen, another vice president, added:  “We will be watching these events very closely in the Parliament.  We hope this event will pass without incidents.

“But we question as to why security should be paid for by organisers,” he added.  “Feeling safe and secure is the responsibility of police and security services.”

In Sofia, Boyan Rasate, the leader of the Bulgarian National Union vowed to prevent the parade.

The BNU met yesterday and demanded that public display of homosexuality be banned by law, the Sofia News Agency Novinite reported.

“We will do anything possible to stop this madness, and to stop the unimpeded spreading of homosexuality and paedophilia in the Bulgarian society,” he is quoted by the news agency.

“We are not afraid, and we are not sorry for anything.”

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Posted: 26 June 2008 at 00:30 (UK time)