July 27 took place Baltic LGBT-Pride, which was until recently encircled with continued court proceedings.
Let us recall that the Vilnius city authorities tried to prevent the march of gay activists on the main street of the city – Gediminas Avenue – and formalized their discontent in the form of an injunction. However, the decision was made by the lower court that allowed to appeal, which was done. As a result the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania (SACL) has issued its verdict in favor of gay activists and ordered the Vilnius City Hall to permit the Pride on July 27 exactly on Gediminas Avenue. This decision was final and not itself subject to appeal.
We heartily congratulate the Lithuanian colleagues with success and would like to state some facts.
First of all, the Court Order stated that the right to peaceful assemblies is the fundamental human right and it can only be restricted or prohibited (attention!) “to protect public order, health and moral of the citizens”. Accordingly the highest judicial body of Lithuania is confident that gay people do not threaten in any way the moral standing and the health of the citizens. A striking difference in comparison with what is happening in other post-Soviet countries, where the vision of the "terrible dangers of homosexuality" is presented as truth, including at the level of the infamous legislation.
Secondly, Vilnius Mayor Artūras Zuokas implicitly agreed with the court decision, although did emphasized that the municipality will not take additional measures to ensure the security – since, as he said, it’s the task for the police. At the same time the mayor expressed his hope that the march will be held "civilized, cultured and calm" – despite the fact that, based on the situation, he was not pleased at all with the court verdict. Isn’t it what is called the rule of law, and in this case – of the court?
Of course it is still far away from well-being for Lithuanian LGBT-community. Despite the fact that the country has almost for ten years is a member of the EU, the European values of tolerance are being imparted here with the difficulty (an excellent opportunity to look at the situation from the outside and evaluate the local perspective – even if Ukraine ever to become a part of the European Union). Far from all were happy by the Vilnius Pride and, as was reported by the press, the excesses could not have been avoided. There was this moment when mounted police had to block the avenue, in order to calm down especially raged opponents. As the results of the event 28 people were arrested. However, there were no casualties and no violent manifestations or distinct provocations – from both sides. "I am glad that there are more understanding and tolerance and less aggression in comparison to what was there three years ago ", – said in an interview to Lithuanian TV and Radio Vilnius Police Chief Kęstutis Lančinskas.
Many conservative politics and middlebrows spoke of “the spit in the soul of the Lithuanian nation” and “true Tower of Babel” and complained of the insult to the feelings of believers, and the undermining of moral values. However, the main thing is that in reconciliation with the authorities, by decision of the country's highest court, the march took its place – right there where he was planned to be held – on the main avenue of the city.
Over 400 people took part in the march, including the progressive members of the Lithuanian Parliament – Social Democrat Marija Aušrinė Pavilionienė and a member of the Liberal Movement Dalya Kuodite, as well as foreign guests, among others MEPs, ambassadors and Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson.
This material used the photos of ИА Regnum
Автор: APO “Gay-Alliance Ukraine”
