TALLINN, July 30 (RIA Novosti) - Estonian police said Monday they have authorized a gay parade in the center of Tallinn August 11 following initial opposition to the event based on security concerns.

Police suggested in mid-July that organizers reroute the march away from the city center, saying six participants in the 500-strong Tallinn Pride parade were seriously injured when attacked by Estonian nationalists last year.

Several organizations representing sexual minorities in the ex-Soviet Baltic state of 1.4 million approached the president, prime minister and other senior government and city officials for assistance after the police refusal.

The issue was resolved when organizers agreed to hire security guards to ensure the marchers' safety in line with police recommendations.