Saturday: Split Pride

This is the second year that Gay Pride has taken place in Split. Last year was not a success at all. There was a lot of local hostility to the event. That, together with insufficient policing led to quite a lot of violence and a number of participants being hurt in the process.

As a result, there was a lot of apprehension around this year's event. I was here representing the British Embassy and met up with colleagues from other Embassies. Together it was our intention to show our support for the event. Original estimates stated that there were going to be around 300 marchers - in reality, I think it was nearer 600. To protect the marchers there were 900 police on duty in full riot gear. They lined the whole route shoulder to shoulder. They also closed off all access to the march route so that no-one could get close to the march.

Consequently, it all went off very smoothly. In fact, the only reactions we met with was bemusement or, from one cafe full of tourists, applause and cheers.

It would be nice to think though that at some point you could have an event like this that was respected and didn't need such heavy policing.

Although I was here in a work capacity it felt great having K., my partner of the last 7 years, here with me.