Police protect Gay Pride rally in Bulgaria

Hundreds of gays and lesbians are gathering in a park in downtown Sofia, protected by riot police after some extremist groups urged members to stop the Gay Pride rally.

Some 2,000 people are expected to join the fifth Gay Pride march through the streets of Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, on Saturday, organizers said.

Gays and lesbians face widespread hostility in the Balkan country's macho-dominated society, and opposition to their public events has been fierce.

The Balkan country's influential Orthodox Church has called on authorities to ban the event, arguing it would undermine the country's Christian tradition