Bush visit postpones Rome gay parade

ROME: Italian homosexual activists have postponed a Gay Pride march in Rome next month because of a visit by US President George W. Bush, organisers said on Thursday.   

The parade will now be held on June 16, instead of the previously scheduled June 9, said Arcigay, the leading Italian homosexual rights' association.   

"The decision has been taken to avoid the risk that Gay Pride is relegated to second rank compared to other demonstrations, or that its holding is made impossible for reasons of public order," the group said.   

Bush is due to visit the Italian capital on June 9 following a summit of the Group of Eight nations to be held in Germany from June 6-8.   

He is scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and will have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican.   

Organisers of the Gay Pride march plan to use the event to call for recognition by parliament of "equal rights for all". The Italian government unveiled a draft bill in February to recognise the rights of unmarried gay and heterosexual couples.

The text, as well as other proposals by parliamentarians, have since been subject to examination by the senate justice commission, and supporters fear the text will be buried.