The first steps aimed for protection of human rights in the Baltic states - The Baltic Pride" will be held in May 2009 in Riga (Latvia), the second - in 2010 in Vilnius (Lithuania). Its participants want to attract public attention to the problems of LGBT people in the region and to support the sexual orientation diversity.
"The Baltic Pride" is organized by NGOs from three Baltic states - the Lithuanian League of Gays, Homosexual Youth of Estonia and Latvian LGBT-community's representatives and the association "Mosaic", reports the press statement.
Early in October 2008 the representatives of those non-governmental organizations met in Latvia and agreed to hold on regular basis the Baltic Prides.
On the agenda of the first "Baltic Pride" are the political discussion on principles of non-discrimination in the EU, seminars, cultural activities and the Pride itself.
"We should follow the example of Estonia and Latvia where gay prides are being held for several years, where the State respects the universal right of freedom of speech and freedom of meeting. We were disappointed by the fact that in August 2008 the mayors of two big cities in Lithuania again have expressed intolerance and misunderstanding of the European principles of non-discrimination. In spite of this fact, the next gay pride will be held in Vilnius in 2010", said Mr.Vladimir Simonko, the Chairman of the Lithuanian League of Gays.
The Baltic Pride 2009 is to be held in Riga on May 15-17th, 2009 (May 17th is the International Fight Against Homophobia Day).
Translated by Yerdna Bananes
