Thousands take part in Prague Pride parade

Thousands of people from at home and abroad joined in Saturday’s Prague Pride parade, culminating a week of events celebrating the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT+). The parade led from Wenceslas Square to Letná Park where concerts and entertainment will continue late into the evening.

Prague Pride director Kamila Fröhlichová in a statement to the Czech News Agency that the annual festival primarily aims to raise awareness of LGBT issues, adding that LGBT people in the Czech Republic are still waiting for full rights. “We aim to bring the lives and experiences of LGBT people closer to the wider public,” she said.

The Prague Pride festival was first held in August 2011, sparking protests from conservative groups. Since then, opposition to it has waned significantly.