Bucharest Pride March Defies Surge in Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Tens of thousands joined Bucharest Pride in Romania despite growing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric during recent elections. Hate crimes have reportedly increased, with activists vowing to continue their fight. A right-wing countermarch and anti-LGBT signs fueled concerns ahead of the celebration.
Quick Looks
- Tens of thousands marched in Bucharest’s 20th Pride parade.
- The event followed a divisive election cycle with rising hate speech.
- LGBTQ+ group ACCEPT reported increased harassment and violence.
- Right-wing activists held a countermarch promoting “traditional values.”
- A large “STOP LGBT” banner was removed ahead of the parade.
- Activists remain defiant despite heightened societal tensions.
- Romania ranked last in LGBTQ+ rights among EU nations in 2025.
- Bucharest Pride has been held annually since 2005.
- This year marks 24 years since homosexuality was decriminalized in Romania.
Deep Look
Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters and allies filled the streets of Bucharest on Saturday, taking part in the Romanian capital’s annual gay pride parade—an event that this year stood as both a celebration and an act of defiance. The march came at a pivotal moment, following a tense national election cycle that saw a marked rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and hate speech across the country.
Participants, including people of all ages, marched along Victory Avenue and other central streets of Bucharest waving rainbow flags, wearing colorful outfits, and carrying signs that read messages like “Be proud, be bold, be you!” The 2025 event marked the 20th anniversary of Bucharest Pride, a milestone celebration in one of the European Union’s most socially conservative member states.
Victor Ciobotaru, executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group ACCEPT Association, told the Associated Press that the 2024-2025 election period saw a disturbing surge in hate crimes and discriminatory incidents. “We had more people complaining about being harassed on the streets or being attacked,” he said. “This hate speech doesn’t remain without effect.”
According to Ciobotaru, the backlash against LGBTQ+ rights has been amplified by political figures during campaigns, making hateful rhetoric more socially acceptable and emboldening extremist groups. Despite the hostile climate, Ciobotaru reaffirmed the community’s determination: “We are going to continue to fight for our rights, no matter the political climate.”
Earlier in the day, several right-wing and religious groups organized a countermarch, positioning themselves as defenders of “traditional family values.” The participants waved Romania’s national tricolor flag and held signs depicting Christian imagery. Some expressed open opposition to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ visibility in public life.
In a symbolic act of protest, a large banner reading “STOP LGBT” was draped over an abandoned apartment building in Bucharest before the parade. The ACCEPT Association confirmed the incident and said the banner was later taken down. However, the group warned that such displays are becoming more frequent and increasingly tolerated due to the normalization of hate speech in the political sphere.
“These types of actions are now more legitimized by the hate discourse which was spread all during these years, during these electoral campaigns,” Ciobotaru said. “But we will not be afraid to go on the streets.”
Romania, a nation of approximately 19 million people, decriminalized homosexuality in 2001. Yet, despite this legal progress, social acceptance has lagged. Many LGBTQ+ individuals in Romania still face stigma, limited legal protections, and exclusion from key civil rights like marriage or adoption.
This year’s Pride events took place under the shadow of Romania’s low standing in Europe’s LGBTQ+ rights rankings. According to ILGA-Europe’s 2025 Rainbow Map—which evaluates legal protections, social equality, and policy for LGBTQ+ communities across the continent—Romania ranked last among all 27 EU member states. Poland and Bulgaria trailed just ahead, underscoring a broader struggle in Eastern Europe over minority rights and inclusion.
While Pride was a moment of celebration, it also served as a powerful reminder of the challenges still facing Romania’s LGBTQ+ community. Activists pointed out that real change will require sustained legal reform, educational campaigns, and an active pushback against populist narratives that paint LGBTQ+ rights as foreign or dangerous.
Despite the risks, the turnout in Bucharest sent a clear message: Romania’s LGBTQ+ citizens and their allies will not be intimidated. For many, showing up was about visibility, solidarity, and the right to live freely in their own country.
As Bucharest Pride marked its 20th year, the stakes were higher than ever—and so was the resolve of those marching.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.