Thousands march for LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine despite some opposition

Participants take part in the Equality March, organized by the LGBT+ community in Kyiv, Ukraine September 19, 2021. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KYIV (Reuters) - Thousands of people including soldiers and diplomats marched peacefully through the Ukrainian capital on Sunday in an annual gay pride parade despite some opposition to an event called off last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers said about 7,000 attended the Equality March this year, compared to 8,000 in 2019, which saw the biggest turnout since the event was initiated a decade ago despite opposition from religious and nationalist groups.