I was totally confused about what a kilometer was until I read that little snippet. Now I know it equals one mile; you learn so much on that site.

Just one little reminder that gay pride and gay politics are still very local indeed.

Police said they arrested eight people on Saturday after violence marred a Gay Pride march through the centre of the Croatian capital Zagreb.

Organisers said more than 20 marchers had been the target of homophobic attacks. "Around 10 people were hurt, with two needing medical treatment," Marko Jurcic, one of the organisers, told AFP.

Italian senator Gianpaolo Silvestri was in one of the groups attacked, but was unhurt, Jurcic said.

Police said the eight arrests were for threatening behaviour towards the marchers.

"Five of them were carrying what appeared to be Molotov cocktails, but the contents of the bottles they were carrying has yet to be analysed," police spokesman Marina Burazer said.

Hoping to prevent attacks on people attending this year's gay pride similar to those last year in which six people were viciously assaulted an LGBT community group is setting up citizens patrols.

San Diego Pride attracts about 40,000 people to the event in Balboa Park. This year Pride will be held July 21 and 22. Calling itself the Stonewall Citizens Patrol is planning to have a dozen four-person teams patrolling the area. The teams will carry cell phones to call police in case of emergency. The group said that despite a large police presence at Pride

Last year six men were attacked as they left Balboa Park. The victims were taunted with homophobic remarks then beaten. At least two of the victims were struck by a baseball bat. One of them was hit nearly a dozen times and required reconstructive surgery on his face. Another victim received a non life threatening stab wound.

Last year six men were attacked as they left Balboa Park. The victims were taunted with homophobic remarks then beaten. At least two of the victims were struck by a baseball bat. One of them was hit nearly a dozen times and required reconstructive surgery on his face. Another victim received a non life threatening stab wound.

A year after violent homophobic attacks against Tallinn Pride, organisers prepare for its return amid problems with uncooperative police officials.

Last year LGBT marchers were attacked with sticks and stones by a group of young Estonian nationalists while celebrating the country's gay third pride event.

The press service of the Estonian police told Interfax: "Considering the problems of last year and possible threats involved in holding the event, the prefecture has advised that the organisers should find a place more suitable for it. Since the participants in the parade are many, holding it may disturb the constitutional rights of other citizens to walk the narrow streets of the city."

Pride spokeswomen Lisette Kampus responded that freedom of assembly is a constitutional right.

[...]

Ms Kampus said: "We can not, should not and will not take responsibility for the actions of the people other than the participants. If this year someone from the audience on the streets decides to throw stones, eggs, or hit someone in the parade, they are committing a crime and are therefore subject to a punishment. The police have an obligation to protect the public order and safety of the citizens."

A man who is suspected of attempting to throw Molotov cocktails at gay paradegoers in the Croatian capital of Zagreb was arrested last week. The 25-year-old man, identified only as Jossip S., is accused of preparing the bottles of gasoline at his home with intent to throw at participants of Sunday's gay pride parade, which took place in Zagreb's main square, according to Serbianna.com.

Police spotted the suspect with two assistants armed with eggs and tomatoes. He is being held on charges of attempting to endanger lives and property by an act of hatred, though he has yet to be indicted. He is the first person to face charges under Croatia's hate-crimes law, approved by the legislature in 2006.

A man who is suspected of attempting to throw Molotov cocktails at gay paradegoers in the Croatian capital of Zagreb was arrested last week. The 25-year-old man, identified only as Jossip S., is accused of preparing the bottles of gasoline at his home with intent to throw at participants of Sunday's gay pride parade, which took place in Zagreb's main square, according to Serbianna.com.

Police spotted the suspect with two assistants armed with eggs and tomatoes. He is being held on charges of attempting to endanger lives and property by an act of hatred, though he has yet to be indicted. He is the first person to face charges under Croatia's hate-crimes law, approved by the legislature in 2006.

Yes, I know, some people get a tad squeamish about the skin, the drag queens, and those they find less desirable. "I am embarrassed to include my family of friends, even myself sometimes," one West End guy recently told me. "Ugly bare asses, trannies in Saran Wrap and politicians in drag. None of that has to do with me, or my boyfriend or our lives."

Davis and his partner Cam, though residents of our fair Village, were simply not feeling the voluptuous nature of Pride on the day we spoke.

"I am all for equal rights and liberations, which I feel in Canada," Davis continued. "I do not need green thongs on young boys on floats to tell me it's accepted to be gay in this country. This shows me it is all right to exploit young guys to sell products in a public environment. Not my first choice."

I can see how go-go gods and glitter and disco may seem frivolous, maybe even offensive. But they do save the get-together from being a political snooze button or a dry demonstration. And we've certainly earned the right to be frivolous and colourful, don't you think?

...


Many of our littermates see Pride as a celebration, a liberation, a freeing experience. No longer bound by the mundane shackles that keep them quiet year round, Pride is a chance to let their hair down!

For those not fortunate enough to live and breathe in gay-central 24/7, Pride is a time of personal growth and expression not to be missed.

...

Many of our littermates see Pride as a celebration, a liberation, a freeing experience. No longer bound by the mundane shackles that keep them quiet year round, Pride is a chance to let their hair down!

For those not fortunate enough to live and breathe in gay-central 24/7, Pride is a time of personal growth and expression not to be missed.

The worker is deserving of his pay, largely because he owns the true source of production -- in this case, the ability to fill a green thong in a manner that will sell products.

No, Sweetie... it's a paraphrase of a line from some old and moldy Wiccan traditions. I've heard it's in the Bible as well.

The vehemently anti-gay folks at Americans For Truth, Mission America, and the Family Policy Network have announced that during this weekend's pride parades in Atlanta, Columbus, and Chicago, they will fly planes with banners over the outdoor events.

And what will these banners say, you ask? Well, they will encourage participants to visit an "ex-gay" website so that they can repent for their evil gay ways and "change" their sexual orientations, natch

Well, I have always maintained that Jesus was a socialist.

My first inkling that some gay staff members objected to the gay pride parade story on July 22 came via Pat Sherman, who works at our sister paper, Today's Local News. He thought the lead describing paraders' costumes focused too much on stereotypes, but what really troubled him was the second paragraph: “But most of the thousands of people who lined University Avenue yesterday for the San Diego gay pride parade went with – get this – T-shirts and shorts, denim jeans, cotton sun dresses and lots of plaid.”

Photo Editor David Poller termed it “incredibly insulting” with its gee-whiz implication, “They look just like us.”

Business writer Keith Darcé preferred the way last year's parade story gave a sense of the meaning and substance of the event in relation to issues such as same-sex marriage. That's important to people who don't see themselves in the paper all the time, he and Poller said.

Montreal Pride was a big hit

Many spectators showed up in family groups, basking under brilliant early-afternoon sunshine, smiling and often swaying to the punchy music.

They were packed as much as 15 deep in some spots along the 16-block downtown route, arrayed on the banks of a spectacular river of 1,500 marchers combining colour and movement.

For Juliette Galarada, almost 9 years old, "the costumes" -- not the crowd size -- proved the highlight.

The youngster delivered that verdict as the last of 70 groups finished their relaxed, one-hour saunter.

The first large contingent -- 22 bikers from the Association des motorcyclistes gais du Quebec -- kick-started the event at 1:10 p.m. The final float crossed the finish line nearly two hours later.

Spectators had an arresting range of choice. These included fabulous plumed headpieces and four parade leaders dressed to embody fire, earth, air and water.

Followed a half-dozen transvestites clad in tight neon-green gowns, or for that matter, their companions on an elaborate float equipped with a twirly water fountain -- a group of lithe young men wearing only the skimpiest of pink bathing-suit-style briefs.