Moldova's Gays
Hope to Stage First Pride Parade

Gays in the Eastern European nation of Moldova are optimistic they will finally be able to have a pride parade this year, on their seventh attempt, the website UK Gay News reports.

The parade is scheduled to be held Sunday, May 11, in the capital, Chisnau, where municipal authorities have always found a reason to cancel previous ones, according to the organizing group, GenderDoc-M. This year, city officials told GenderDoc-M that under a new law, the group does not need permission but simply must have its application for the parade registered with the municipal government. GenderDoc-M also will have to check with city officials a couple of days before the parade to make sure it does not conflict with other events, a spokesperson for the group told UK Gay News.

Other scheduled gay pride activities include laying flowers at the city's monument to victims of oppression, a reception celebrating GenderDoc-M's 10th anniversary, concerts, and a pageant dubbed Miss Flawless Queen, the website notes.