Even before the parade officially began at 12 o'clock, crowds of people had gathered in Sarajevo to attend the celebration. A film clip published by Balkan Insights on Twitter shows hundreds of people waving the rainbow flag, raised by playing drums, whistles and cheers.
The parade has sparked debate and criticism in the conservative and ethnically divisive Bosnia-Herzegovina, and while the colorful parade train passed through Sarajevo, counter-demonstrations were held at other locations in the city.
According to the Civil Rights Defenders organization, two counter-demonstrations had been planned, and local authorities earlier this week were considering withdrawing the demonstration permit for security reasons.
Sarajevo authorities have also been criticized for demanding that the organizers pay for police security measures themselves, writes Balkan Insight.
Earlier, several LGBTQ events in Sarajevo were attacked by masked men. But one of the organizers, 20-year-old Amina Imamovic, told TT earlier this summer that she was determined to conduct the parade.
- Fear is a good driver.