Gay pride parade first for old Soviet area

RIGA, Latvia, July 13 (UPI) -- The first gay pride parade in a former Soviet territory is set for July 23 in Latvia's capital of Riga, MosNews reports.

The Youth Group for Support of Gays and Lesbians organized Riga Parade 2005, a convergence of gay, lesbian and bisexuals from Latvia, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Finland.

The group says the march will show if the region is accepting and tolerant of homosexuals. They also say it will begin the fight against homophobia.