How do Eastern European governments respond to LGBT marches?

Eastern European governments' responses to LGBT marches vary, ranging from supportive to highly restrictive and oppressive.

In Eastern Europe, the response of governments to LGBT marches, also known as Pride Parades, is not uniform and depends largely on the political, cultural, and social context of each country. Some governments are supportive, others are indifferent, while some are openly hostile.

Countries like the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Croatia have shown a more liberal stance towards LGBT rights. Their governments have allowed Pride Parades to take place with police protection, acknowledging the right to freedom of assembly and expression. In the Czech Republic, for instance, Prague Pride has been held annually since 2011 without significant governmental interference.

However, in countries such as Russia, Poland, and Hungary, the situation is quite different. These governments have been known to restrict LGBT rights and have often responded to Pride Parades with hostility. In Russia, the government passed a law in 2013 banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships among minors", effectively making it illegal to promote LGBT rights. This law has been used to justify the banning of Pride Parades and the arrest of LGBT activists. Similarly, in Poland, several cities have declared themselves "LGBT-free zones", and Pride Parades have often been met with violent counter-protests, sometimes with little to no protection from the police.

In Hungary, the government has recently passed a law banning the portrayal of homosexuality and transgender issues to minors, which has been widely criticised as an attack on LGBT rights. While Pride Parades have been allowed to take place, they have often been met with hostility and violence, and the government's rhetoric and policies have contributed to a climate of fear and discrimination.

In Belarus, the government has been particularly oppressive, with Pride Parades being banned outright and LGBT activists facing harassment and arrest. The government's stance is rooted in deeply conservative societal attitudes towards homosexuality, which are often reinforced by state-controlled media.

In conclusion, the response of Eastern European governments to LGBT marches is complex and varies greatly from country to country. It is influenced by a range of factors, including political ideology, societal attitudes, and the influence of the Orthodox Church, which is often opposed to LGBT rights.