A relevant decision was adopted by the votes of 27 councilors of the National Alternative Movement Party, the Party of Socialists and the Party of Communists. The group of the Party of Action and Solidarity, which criticized the initiative, left the room during the examination of the draft decision, IPN reports.

The head of the Legal Department of the Chisinau City Hall Valerii Bogdan said that it goes to meetings, marches or other forms of expression that aim to promote sexual and gender diversity, especially in areas with symbolic or historical value or with a significant presence of minors.

Also, the draft decision prohibits the carrying out in educational institutions in the municipality of Chisinau of activities that clearly promote ideologies regarding gender identity and sexual orientation that affect the psycho-emotional development of children and go against the educational values generally accepted by the community.

“We want to specify that this decision does not have an absolute restrictive character on the freedom of expression or the right to assembly, but establishes a framework of balance between the exercise of these rights and the need to protect public order, good morals and the best interests of the child,” added Valerii Bogdan.

In his speech, the deputy head of the PAS group Sergiu Stoian said that mayor Ion Ceban, who is the author of the initiative, is trying to distract attention from the real problems of the citizens. Such a decision is contrary to the legislation that allows anyone to meet through a simple notification submitted to the City Hall.

“We, the PAS group, respect the legislation and fundamental rights. We do not take decisions that do not fall within the competence of the CMC,” said the local elected official. Subsequently, the PAS councilors left the meeting room.

In a video posted on social media, mayor Ion Ceban thanked the councilors who supported the initiative. According to him, now that such a decision was adopted, marches, demonstrations and LGBT propaganda cannot be carried out in Chisinau municipality.

The GENDERDOC-M Information Center, which defends the rights of the LGBT community, condemned the ban on public gatherings promoting sexual and gender diversity even when the initiative was announced. The organization condemned the serious violation of the fundamental human rights – the freedom of expression, the freedom of assembly and equality before the law.

“The draft decision represents an explicit action of censorship and stigmatization of the LGBQ+ community, promoting fear and exclusion instead of dialogue and mutual respect,” said GENDERDOC-M. According to the association, in a democratic society, there can be no “selective freedom”, and protecting vulnerable communities is an essential test of political and civic maturity.