Praise from West after mostly peaceful Kiev Pride march

People take part in the March of Equality, organized by LGBT and human rights activists in Kiev, Ukraine, June 12, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Western diplomats joined gay rights activists on a Pride march in Kiev on Sunday and spoke of signs of progress on gay rights in Ukraine after the event passed off largely without incident.

Ukrainian authorities have increased their support for LGBT(lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender) rights since a pro-Western government came to power after the 2014 Maidan protests; but critics say homophobic attitudes remain widespread.