[3] In the late 1990s, the LGBT rights movement was mainly concerned with lobbying for the repeal of Article 200, which continued to criminalise public displays and promotion of homosexuality.

[4]It is important to note, however, that in October 2000, while Article 200 was still in force, ACCEPT hosted the 22nd European Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association in Bucharest.

[5] After pressure from ACCEPT as well as the European Union and the Council of Europe, Article 200 was repealed completely at the end of 2001, removing the last anti-gay law in Romania.

As part of the GayFest, the Goethe Institute in Bucharest hosted a photographic exhibition by Polish artist Karolina Bregula, titled Să ne vadă ("Let them see us") which explored the visibility of gays and lesbians in Poland.

[7] A gay pride parade through central Bucharest was also initially planned, but was later abandoned, with various newspapers stating that Romanian society was not ready for such an event on such a scale.

Ştefan Iancu, the organiser of the 2004 Diversity Festival, stated to Ziarul, on 3 May 2004, that, "We wanted to do this [a pride parade], but we don't know if we would succeed in convincing gay people to come out into the streets for various reasons.

The parade received authorisation, however, after intense lobbying from international gay rights campaigners and the National Council for Combating Discrimination, as well as public support from President Traian Băsescu and Justice Minister Monica Macovei.

[10] A counter-demonstration, which had not received approval from the City Hall, was organised by Noua Dreaptă, the participants of which displayed anti-gay banners and violently aimed to break up the pride parade.

During the GayFest week, Accept called on the state to legalise same-sex marriage, or at least civil unions, creating unprecedented media coverage and debate about this issue.

The GayFest Parade, which received authorisation from the City Hall on 30 May,[13] took place on 3 June, starting at 18:00 and attracting approximately 800 participants,[14] including LGBT rights activists from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

On 20 May, twenty-two conservative NGOs, including the far right-wing Noua Dreaptă, called on the Romanian Orthodox Church to oppose the pride parade.

On 2 June, the Orthodox Church denounced the City Hall for permitting the march to take place, stating that it is "an affront to the morality of public institutions, and a danger ... for the formation of young people".

[14] The two parties of the governing Justice and Truth Alliance — the Liberals and the Democrats — issued a statement after the parade condemning the violent anti-gay protests and calling for tolerance.

The two governing parties of the Justice and Truth Alliance affirmed their support for gay rights, but were elusive on the issue of same-sex marriage specifically, while the Social Democrats said that they would not initiate or support a legislative proposal on same-sex marriage, but that a broader public debate on this issue is necessary, "in order to see in what way the standards regarding fundamental liberties can be improved with regard to people with another sexual orientation".

The photographic project, which was created by the San Francisco Queer Cultural Center and Bay Area Community of Women, sought to "transmit the idea of the universality of love, acceptance and understanding.

Keynote speeches were made by Florin Buhuceanu (the vice-president of ACCEPT), Diane Fisher (a minister of the Metropolitan Community Church), Maxim Anmeghicean (representing ILGA-Europe), and Christoph Michl (from Stuttgart Gay Pride).

[35] Media reactions to the 2007 GayFest have been more positive than in previous years, with three of the largest daily newspapers, Cotidianul, Evenimentul Zilei, and Adevărul, including favourable editorials or articles about the event.

Isaila stated that, "Same-sex unions should be legalised so that those with another sexual orientation can benefit from rights regarding borrowing, common ownership of goods and inheritance.

[38] At 12:00 on 9 June, ProTV, the largest private TV network in Romania, screened a short documentary titled "Gays which made history".

"[40] The GayFest 2007 received an official letter of support and solidarity from the organisers of Zagreb Pride,[41] as well as from Herta Däubler-Gmelin, a member of the German Bundestag and former Justice Minister of Germany.

Gheorghe Flutur, the vice-president of the Liberal Democratic Party, stated in a television interview that he has "a poor opinion" of LGBTQ people, and that he disapproves of the liberties they have obtained.

Becali, who is also the president of the Steaua football club, stated that he doesn't want any more homosexuals coming to Ghencea Stadium, but later appeared to contradict himself by saying "Discrimination?

"[50] The National Council for Combating Discrimination announced that it will be investigating if Becali's comments breach Romania's anti-discrimination laws, which also cover speech.

[52] Corneliu Vadim Tudor, the president of the far-right Greater Romania Party, stated that public manifestations of homosexuality should be banned, because they "violate the sight, hearing and education of children" and "provoke the Church".

Although counterdemonstrations were organised by Noua Dreaptă and other far-right groups, there were no violent incidents at the 2008 pride parade, with very significant police presence protecting participants.

Alongside the now-traditional gay pride parade, there was a film festival, photographic exhibitions, concerts, workshops, lectures, public debates and parties.

[63][64] During the parade, British Ambassador Robin Barnett announced that the United Kingdom supported the gay rights struggle and was pleased at the "fantastic celebration" for diversity taking place in Bucharest.

[65] Letters of support were received from the French Ambassador to Romania, as well as three openly LGBT officials from the United Kingdom: Angela Eagle, Ben Bradshaw and Chris Bryant.

[66] Furthermore, for the first time, the Romanian Orthodox Church announced its opposition to the anti-gay march, stating that "noisy street manifestations" were incompatible with religion.

[76] The 12th edition of Bucharest Pride attracted a record 2,500 participants[77][78] and unfolded under the sign of family – "The family that three million Romanians try to redefine, limiting its meaning", referring to the petition signed by three million Romanian citizens who call for the amendment of the Constitution so that marriage be defined as an exclusive reunion between a man and a woman and not between two spouses, as currently stipulated in the Constitution.