"Ivan. The name I hear every day. The name everyone calls me. One name which for 20 years from my life turns to be an impression of my dungeon. A dungeon called body of mine. Of course, people around me could not possibly know that. In their eyes I am just an ordinary boy.

 

Ivan. I hate him. I abominate him. He is not even real for me. It is just an imaginary personality which I wear like a mask in front of other people. Ivan’s purpose is to be accepted in our society but also to repress the prisoner inside – Joana. Nevertheless, the prison bars become rusty, walls become ruins, and I become stronger. Where I am going? I have no idea. But I know one thing for sure. I will fight until my last breath to have my grave stone sign with the name of Joana."

 

The main intension of Sofia Pride is acceptance and equal treatment of all Bulgarian citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride has the potential to achieve this by increasing the visibility of the otherwise hidden and marginalized community of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people (LGBT ), and generate public debate on prejudice and discrimination against them.