This summer, Frank van Dalen celebrated Pride in Kiev, Ukraine. He did so alongside several thousand police officers in combat gear, marching down side-streets between water cannons positioned to protect drag queens from violent right-wing nationalists.
“The level of protection is something that most Americans would wonder about,” recalled van Dalen, vice president of operations at the international Pride organization Interpride. “Police are marching along with Pride participants, forming a line on both sides of the parade. It’s as if you’re cocooned.”