Zagreb - Zagreb's Gay Pride parade on Saturday was marred by verbal clashes between gay and anti-gay groups, forcing police to intervene and arrest four people. Some 300 people gathered at the eighth Gay Pride parade in Zagreb, uniting under the slogan "Destroy fascism, support gay activism."
"We want to build a society of solidarity, support and community where no one will hide their love or confine their identity within four walls. We want a society where there will be no 'closets,' because closets are for clothes," said Marko Jurcevic, organizer of the parade.
At the same time, a group of some 200 ultranationalists gathered, shouting insults and carrying slogans such as "Gay parade, shame of our city," "Birth rate is dropping," and "Gays today, pedophiles tomorrow."
Police were forced to intervene and arrest four of the nationalists. However, no serious violence was reported.
Organizers of the Gay Pride parade, however, criticized the police and authorities for allowing the anti-gay protest which, they said, "spreads hatred and openly calls for violence."
The annual parades are commonly marred by violence due to a macho tone to Balkan culture in which sexual minorities are perceived as "sick" and "deviant."
