Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters participated in annual Pride parades in Bucharest, Romania, and Sofia, Bulgaria, on Saturday. Marchers called for equality and the legalization of civil partnerships, which would provide rights such as inheritance, medical decisions, and survivor’s pensions. According to the Associated Press, organizers noted that many same-sex couples in Bulgaria live together and raise children without legal recognition. The events occurred against a backdrop of rising opposition and hostility from conservative groups. In Sofia, a “March of the Family” rally celebrated “Christian, patriotic and traditional values,” with the Orthodox Church expressing disagreement with the Pride messages. In Bucharest, a “March for Normality” was held by a nationalist group. Also, the “Progressive Bulgaria” party of Prime Minister Rumen Radev voiced support for the “March of the Family” in Parliament, describing it as a cornerstone of national security and identity. The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee criticized this statement for valuing one type of citizen over others. Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007 and adopted human rights legislation to meet EU standards, though public opinion polls often show less support for the LGBTQ+ community than in other EU countries. ILGA-Europe’s 2025 Rainbow Map ranked both nations last among all 27 EU countries regarding the legal and policy landscape for LGBTQ+ people. Neither country recognizes same-sex marriage or civil partnerships, despite a bloc-wide prohibition on discrimination based on sexual orientation. In a separate event on Saturday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Belfast to denounce anti-immigrant rioters who set fire to homes and cars earlier in the week. The unrest followed the arrest of a 30-year-old man from Sudan on charges of attempted murder in a stabbing that left a man partly blind. The anti-racism rally in Belfast featured signs advocating against prejudice, while a similar rally in Glasgow saw thousands gather to stand up to the far right.