Around 200 take part in Košice Rainbow Pride parade

Under the slogan 'The Rainbow Binds Us Together', the third annual 'Pride Dúhové Košice' (Košice Rainbow Pride) parade took place on Saturday afternoon in Košice, attended by approximately 200 mainly young people. The parade's aim was to show support to the rights of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexual) community and make them more visible to the public. "The goal of Košice Rainbow Pride was to bring people to the streets and to allow us to - once a year - proudly carry our identity through the city and to show a sign to those that are afraid to pick up their courage and to decide to live their lives in truth to themselves, to others and to the society", said the event's director Robert Furiel. The participants walked from the Kulturpark through the Main Square into the Kulturfabrik, where the event culminated with concerts. "The attendance was higher than the previous year again. Another reason for joy is that we walked through without any incidents, moreover I have a feeling that there also was fewer protesters than last year", said Furiel. He appreciated police measures for the parade's protection. Among the participants there was also US Embassy to Slovakia Charge d'affaires Liam Wasley.