Ukraine Holds First Gay Rights Rally Held Despite Opposition

Attendees wouldn't let a court ban or anti-gay demonstrators stand in the way of making history.

At least 50 marched in Ukraine's first gay rights rally in Kiev Saturday.

Patrick  @ZegmaarPatrick

GayPride Kiev succesvol verlopen. Helaas wel zware beveiliging nodig. #LHBT Foto met dank aan @MarijeC

12:33 PM - 25 May 2013

Patrick 

@ZegmaarPatrick

GayPride Kiev succesvol verlopen. Helaas wel zware beveiliging nodig. #LHBT Foto met dank aan @MarijeC

A court ban and anti-gay demonstrators unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the rally.

Jan Kooy @KooyJan

Peaceful Kiev Pride in #Ukraine, police prevents attacks on #LGBT marchers incl @hrw's Boris Dittrich and @anna_kirey

10:05 AM - 25 May 2013

Jan Kooy

@KooyJan

Peaceful Kiev Pride in #Ukraine, police prevents attacks on #LGBT marchers incl @hrw's Boris Dittrich and @anna_kirey

Riot guards were on hand to ensure the attendees were safe.

Jan Kooy @KooyJan

This was needed to keep Kiev Pride 2013 peaceful. #LGBT #Ukraine @geertjanhahn @anna_kirey

10:12 AM - 25 May 2013

Jan Kooy

@KooyJan

This was needed to keep Kiev Pride 2013 peaceful. #LGBT #Ukraine @geertjanhahn @anna_kirey

Demonstrators called for an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation and derogatory stereotypes.

Jakub Parusinski @j_parus

@sia_vlasova's great pic from #kyiv's first ever gay pride. more to follow. #ukraine

10:53 AM - 25 May 2013

Jakub Parusinski

@j_parus

@sia_vlasova's great pic from #kyiv's first ever gay pride. more to follow. #ukraine

Here's video from the event.

youtube.com