Yannis Boutaris, Mayor of Thessaloniki not only took pictures half-naked for Adore magazine in a tribute against AIDS, but also made some statements that are sure to be discussed.

The mayor described that if 50,000 people from the Balkans, the Middle East, anywhere, come to Thessaloniki to attend the Gay Pride parade, it will be a huge success.

He cite, in fact, Vienna’s example which gathers over 600,000 people each year.

“I’m not saying we should get 600,000 people in Thessaloniki. Let’s get 50,000, because that is the correct analogy. If we can bring 50,000 gay people from the Balkans, Middle East, anywhere, to express their views, it will be something great for the city. Now we have more than two to three thousand people who visit us. If this number reaches 50,000, we are talking about a huge success”.