ROME, JUN 9 (ZENIT.org)

    The majority of Italians are opposed to the celebration of "Gay Pride," a world homosexual mass meeting planned to take place in Rome in July of this Jubilee Year.

    A survey carried out by Datamedia for television channel "Retequattro," reveals that 63% of the 1,000 people interviewed said they disagree with the decision to exhibit "homosexual pride" specifically during this Holy Year in the Eternal City. Only 18.9% of Italians support the demonstration.

    The Italian majority's opposition to this rally was expressed in two earlier opinion polls carried out by the weekly newspaper "Espresso" and "Il Corriere della Sera," the Italian daily newspaper with the widest circulation.

    Datamedia asked: "In your opinion, if a demonstration like this had been organized in another spiritual and religious center, like Mecca or Jerusalem, how do you think the local authorities would react? 78.5% of those interviewed said the event would be prohibited. Of these, 42.6% were convinced the authorities "would block it with force," and only 5.3% believed it would be permitted.

    "Gay Pride" demonstrations are scheduled to take place in Rome from July 1-9. The "grand parade" is set for the 8th. The City of Rome, which originally decided to allocate municipal funds to support organizational expenses, withdrew its aid because the organizers failed to give details of the activities planned. ZE00060901

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