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Belarusians take part in gay rights parade in Warsaw

Some 30 Belarusians took part in a gay rights parade in Warsaw on June 2.

The Belarusians displayed a sign that said, "It's better to be gay than a dictator," which echoed a scandalous remark made by Alyaksandr Lukashenka earlier this year.

Speaking in March, Mr. Lukashenka said in an apparent reference to German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, "It's better to be a dictator than gay."

The Belarusian gay rights activists stayed in the Polish capital on an educational visit. Apart from participation in the parade, they also attended workshops and debates and visited the chancellery of the Polish prime minister.

The organizers had to change the parade's route one day before the event to protect marchers from counter-demonstrations. Nonetheless, run-ins occurred when insults - and eggs - were reportedly thrown at participants. However, no serious incidents were reported. //BelaPAN