Vilnius to hold Baltic Pride 2016

  • 2015-10-22
  • BNS/TBT Staff/VILNIUS

On October 21, 2015, the organisers of the Baltic Pride LGBT march confirmed it had agreed with Vilnius Municipality on holding the event on Gedimino Avenue in June 2016.

In 2015, Baltic Pride took place on June 18 in Riga. It hopes around 1,000 people will attend the 2016 event. It is scheduled to be followed by a rally in Bernardinai Garden.

The march is organised in a different Baltic States each year.

The Lithuanian Gay League says the event will aim at promoting discussions on the legalisation of gay partnerships and the Lithuanian Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information.

The law restricts information, which “expresses contempt for family values, encourages the concept of entry into a marriage and creation of a family other than stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania."

Between June 13-19, other socio-cultural events are planned around the Baltic Pride march.

The LGL thanked Vilnius Municipality for its "smooth and constructive cooperation.”

"We are glad that the idea of an open capital is coming into reality,” said LGL head, Vladimir Simonko. “The Lithuanian Gay League is ready give the Baltic Pride 2016 festival to the city and we will make every effort for this event to be interesting and beneficial for members of our community, and also all residents and guest of Vilnius.”

In 2013, the Vilnius authorities refused to allow an LGBT march in Gediminas Avenue and suggested holding it in Upes Street, which is located outside of the city center. 

A court later ruled that such a restriction was unfounded. Around 500 LGBT persons and supporters marched through Gediminas Avenue.

A similar number of people also came to protest against the march.

The first Baltic Pride in Upes Street in Vilnius took place in 2010. At the time, the local authorities did not want to allow the march to take place but a court later overruled the decision.