This past Saturday I went to Sofia Pride with a number of colleagues and teacher friends. The event was a very positive and uplifting one. My first year, two years ago, there were lots of people with hateful signs but this year along the actual parade route there was none of this.

<em>Progress?</em> I hope so.
<a title="Sofia Pride by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/7481018382/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7481018382_5ca1a7a239_z.jpg" alt="Sofia Pride" width="640" height="480" /></a>
Security around the even is still pretty serious though. So we showed up early to be screened and given an arm band. The day was incredibly hot even at 5pm when the parade started but luckily these things are fleeting. Nevertheless everyone was in a good mood and there was lots of great energy in the staging area.<!--more-->
<a title="Sofia Pride by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/7481011098/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7481011098_57b9150e82_z.jpg" alt="Sofia Pride" width="640" height="480" /></a>
There were paper flags for everyone but lots of people brought bigger flags, signs and there were even some costume-like outfits. We marched in a loop ending where we started. The police seemed pretty attentive walking along side the parade.  Here are couple of pictures from the event. There's also a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151883003530174.876226.673580173&amp;type=1" target="_blank">beautiful collection on facebook </a>too.
<a title="Sofia Pride by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/7481006716/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7481006716_73e1844d84_z.jpg" alt="Sofia Pride" width="640" height="480" /></a>
<a title="Sofia Pride by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/7480989726/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7480989726_bdac8c5e45_z.jpg" alt="Sofia Pride" width="640" height="480" /></a>