Pride parade

Thousands of Israelis attended demonstrations across the country on August 1, two days after an ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed six people at Jerusalem's gay pride parade, leaving one teenager in critical condition.

An Islamist group has pinned posters to walls and posts in Turkey's capital Ankara threatening gays with death, adding to concerns over growing intolerance against homosexuals in the country, AFP reported on July 7.

Last weekend, Istanbul hosted its 12th LGBTI Pride Parade. Thousands, not just members of the LGBTI community but also "straights" defending their rights, marched in the city's busiest street, Istiklal Avenue in Beyo?lu. Unfortunately, the colorful parade was cut short when the police began dispersing people with water cannons and batons.

The governor of Istanbul defended the police that used disproportionate power to interfere with the LGBTI pride parade in Istanbul, saying:

"No application was made to the office of the governor concerning the parade. Sensitivity was shown to the principle of proportionality within the jurisdiction of the law."

The 13th Istanbul LGBTI Pride March on June 28 witnessed scenes of joy and fear as police cracked down on participants with tear gas and water cannon. Click through for the photos

Istanbul police attacked with tear gas and water cannon on June 28 to disperse LGBTI Pride Parade participants before a much-anticipated march even started, as celebrants were ready with rainbow-colored flags and placards to march along Istanbul's central ?stiklal Avenue.

Two major consul generals in Istanbul have taken to Istanbul's famous Istiklal Street to show their support for the LGBTI community in Istanbul during the Istanbul Pride March.

Organisers of Saturday's Zagreb Pride parade are appealing for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and any citizens concerned about the repression of human rights to gather in the city centre in support of this year's anti-fascism theme.

Anthimos, the senior Greek Orthodox cleric in Thessaloniki, on Wednesday lashed out at a planned gay pride parade in the northern port city, urging the faithful to attend a vigil ahead of the event, which is scheduled to take place on June 19 and 20.

BELGRADE - LGBT organisations on Thursday signed a platform aimed at establishing unity in the fight for the rights of LGBT persons, as well as cooperation with other organisations focusing on protection of human rights.