On June 7, 2025, tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters gathered in Bucharest, Romania, for the annual gay pride parade, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The event took place amidst a tense political atmosphere marked by an increase in hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community during a divisive election cycle. Marchers of all ages paraded through the streets, particularly along the central Victory Avenue, waving colorful flags, blowing whistles, and carrying placards with messages such as "Be proud, be bold, be you!"
The backdrop of this year’s pride festivities included a notable rise in support for far-right and conservative political figures in Romania, a predominantly religious country within the European Union. Victor Ciobotaru, the executive director of ACCEPT Association, an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights, reported a significant increase in hate crimes against the community, highlighting that more people have come forward to complain about harassment and attacks on the streets.
Ciobotaru stated, "This hate speech doesn’t remain without effect. We can feel the tension within society. We are going to continue to fight for our rights, no matter the political climate." His comments emphasize the determination of the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for their rights despite the growing hostility.
On the same day as the pride parade, right-wing groups advocating for traditional family values organized an anti-LGBT countermarch in Bucharest, where participants waved Romania's national flag and held placards depicting religious icons. Prior to the parade, the ACCEPT association also observed a disturbing display of intolerance, with a large "STOP LGBT" banner being draped over an abandoned apartment building in Bucharest, which was later removed.
Ciobotaru remarked on the legitimization of such actions due to the hate discourses that have proliferated during the electoral campaigns. Despite the challenges and increased animosity, he affirmed, "We will not be afraid to go on the streets." The pride events continued to be a platform for visibility and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community's rights.
This year also marked 24 years since Romania decriminalized homosexuality. However, according to ILGA-Europe’s 2025 Rainbow Map, which evaluates the legal and policy landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals across Europe, Romania ranked last among all 27 EU countries in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, trailed closely by Poland and Bulgaria.
The pride parade in Bucharest is not only a celebration of identity and diversity but also a crucial statement against rising intolerance. As the atmosphere remains tense politically, the resolve of the LGBTQ+ community to assert their rights and visibility in Romania appears to be unwavering.
