Monday June 4, 12:14 AM     Reuters

*Gays hold parade in Latvia amid tight security*

By Jorgen Johansson

RIGA (Reuters) - Gay men and women from Latvia and other European
nations held a parade under tight security in a fenced park on Sunday,
ensuring there was no repeat of scenes last year when excrement and eggs
were thrown at gays.

Latvia, like many other countries in Eastern Europe, has a conservative
and often hostile attitude towards homosexuality. Last year, officials
banned a Gay Pride march and anti-gay protesters targeted participants
at other events.

About 500 people gathered in the park in the centre of the Latvian
capital Riga that has a high fence round it. Police were stationed on
the park's perimeter.

Small groups of anti-gay protesters shouted insults but there was no
violence. Police said two people were arrested over the insults.

Inside the park bursts of The Beatles' song "All You Need Is Love" could
be heard.

Politicians from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the European parliament
joined the march. They included Swedish Immigration Minister Tobias
Billstrom.

"The fact we can organise this march this year shows there has been an
improvement even if we have to do it in a park," said Spanish European
parliament member Raul Romeva.

About 1 km (0.6 miles) away, some 1,500 people attended a "World Against
Homosexuals" concert. "I am here to show that I don't like gay people,"
said 19-year-old Peteris Grabs, wearing a "No Pride" T-shirt with a
picture of two men having sex.

The European Union criticised Latvia for banning last year's gay parade.

A May 27 gay parade in Moscow was attacked by protesters. The
participants were trying to hand over a petition to Moscow Mayor Yuri
Luzhkov, who has called gay marches "satanic acts".