Gays hold Vilnius conference

VILNIUS - The International Lesbian and Gay Association opened its 11th annual European conference of the  in Vilnius on Oct 25.

The event is being attended by more than 250 delegates from around 40European countries, discussing the situation of sexual minorities, theirrights and tactics for promoting awareness of homosexual issues.

Among keynote speakers at the event are member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, MichaelO'Flaherty, British Euro MP Michael Cashman, and the Swedishombudsman against discrimination based on sexual orientation, HansYttenrberg.

Organizers of the conference planned to hoist a rainbow flag in Vilnius Town Hall square for the duration of the event, but the municipality of the Lithuaniancapital cited safety concerns as a reason to refuse the request.

Lithuania, alonmg with neighboring Poland is regularly ranked among the most homophobic nations in the EuropeanUnion (EU).