Warsaw pride parade back after backlash and pandemic break

A woman with a rainbow flag cools off in a sprinkler ahead of the Equality Parade (Czarek Sokolowski/AP)

The largest gay pride parade in central Europe took place again in Warsaw for the first time in two years after a pandemic-induced break, and amid a backlash in Poland and Hungary against LGBT rights.

Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski walked at the head of the Equality Parade on Saturday, a sign of support for LGBT rights by the liberal politician.