POLAND PRIDE
Meanwhile, in Poland, central and eastern Europe’s biggest pride parade went ahead without major incident, despite rising tensions in the country over the rights of LGBT+ people.

Tens of thousands of people, accompanied by diplomats from the US, Canada and other western countries, took to the streets of Warsaw on Saturday at a time when the Polish government is depicting the LGBT+ community as a threat.



Participants take part at the 'Equality Parade' rally in support of the 
LGBT+ community in Warsaw (REUTERS)

In a first, the Polish capital's mayor also participated. Opening the parade, Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski noted it is now common for cities across Europe to support pride marches.

"Not everyone has to go to the Equality Parade but everyone should respect minority rights," Mr Trzaskowski told the crowd from a parade float. "It's really important for me that Warsaw be open, that Warsaw be tolerant." 

City Hall said some 47,000 people took part.