(18 Aug 2012) STORYLINE
Thousands celebrated Prague's second gay pride on Saturday with a parade leading from the city's main square to a nearby park.
The event drew homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders from across Europe.
Same-sex marriages are not allowed in the Czech Republic but registered unions are.
"The gay people are kind of tolerated but still not as in the other countries, so I would say that this day is like to make the people know that we are just like them, we just want to celebrate ourselves, just what to be accepted," said parade goer and Prague resident David Kuchera.
Some religious groups peacefully demonstrated against the march.
Pavel Zalio, from Brno, who did not represent a particular group, carried a sign saying "homosexuality = road to hell."
"You know my main aim is not to protest this event, my main aim is to preach the gospel to the lost souls, homosexuals. Actually, I am happy that they are gathered all in one place so I have opportunity to preach to all of them in one time," he said.
Saturday's parade was the culmination of a week of events for the gay community in the city.
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