Prague Pride Supported by 13 Embassies

In spite of public opposition from both the Czech president and his deputy, Prague's gay pride celebration has received the support of 13 embassies seated in the city, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Spain.

Last week the embassies issued a joint statement saying, "We express our solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in the Czech Republic, supporting their right to use this occasion to march together peacefully and lawfully, in order to raise awareness of the specific issues that affect them.

"Our governments seek to combat such discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by promoting the human rights of all people."

The statement was also signed by ambassadors from Belgium, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and Estonia.

Last week Vaclav Klaus, the president of the Czech Republic, spoke out in opposition to the upcoming event, saying the festival was not a manifestation of homosexuality but of "homosexual-ism," which he feared along with other "-isms."

Prague's first gay pride festival begins Wednesday.

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