The tenth edition of Zagreb Pride 2011 will be held in the Croatian capital on 18 June, organisers announced yesterday.

Members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community will hold a parade in downtown Zagreb, starting at 1400 hours.

Last year, the Zagreb Pride parade was held in the Croatian capital under the slogan "Croatia can stomach it!"

Participants in the parade set out under strong police escort.

The parade was supported by Croatian actor Rade Serbedzija and Gender Equality Ombudswoman Gordana Lukac Koritnik, who said that the level of homophobia in Croatia was still too high and expressed hope that this would change.

Around 100 members of the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP) youth organisation rallied in the Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica square for a protest against the pride parade.

They told reporters that they were protesting against the lifestyle of the gay community and its mocking family, marriage, tradition and religion.