Protesters disrupt gay pride parade in Georgia

TBILISI, Georgia -- Thousands of anti-gay protesters, including Orthodox priests, occupied a central street in Georgia's capital yesterday, with some threatening to lash with stinging nettles any participant in a gay pride parade that was to take place there.

Police in Tbilisi guarded several dozen gay activists and bused them out of the city center shortly after they arrived at the gathering. But police failed to prevent scuffles, which resulted in 16 people injured, the ambulance service said.

Authorities had OKd the gay parade, saying that all Georgian citizens, irrespective of their sexuality, are entitled to voice their views in public. -- AP