Bulgaria: LGBTQ march, counterdemonstration planned for June 22

The Sofia Pride organization will hold a human rights rally and LGBTQ Pride Parade in downtown Sofia on June 22. On the same day, conservative groups will lead a rival demonstration in the city center denouncing Sofia Pride and advocating traditional family values. Sofia Pride will hold a human rights rally and concert in Knyaz Aleksandar I Square from 14:00 to 16:00; thereafter, participants will march to Alexander Nevsky Square. The conservative demonstration, dubbed "the March for the Family," will take place from Alexander Nevsky Square at 10:30; the exact march route is unclear. Attendees at both events will likely number in the low thousands.

Tight security measures will be imposed in downtown Sofia to secure the two gatherings and ensure rival demonstrators do not come into contact. Although the two events will probably remain largely peaceful, confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers or between activists from opposing camps cannot be ruled out. Localized disruptions are likely in downtown Sofia throughout the day.