North Macedonia hosts its first Gay Pride march

SKOPJE (Reuters) - North Macedonia held its first Gay Pride march on Saturday, in a test of the conservative Balkan country’s record on respecting minority rights as it seeks to join the European Union. Gay men, lesbians and other members of the LGBT community continue to face discrimination and hate attacks across the Balkans. North Macedonia is among the last countries in the region to hold a Pride event.

Several hundred gay and human rights activists marched through central Skopje, dancing and waving a long, trademark rainbow flag. The event was also attended by state officials and Skopje-based diplomats.

“This event celebrates pride, love and diversity,” said Linda, who is transgender. North Macedonia, which is awaiting a date to start EU membership talks, must improve human and minority rights before it can join the bloc.

“There are far more people than we have expected ... hate speech of those who attempted to scare people away backfired,” said Koco Andonovcki of North Macedonian watchdog Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, one of the event organizers. Read more via Reuters