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Baltic Pride to be banned!
Plans to ban Baltic Pride meet with widespread outrage

Baltic Pride to be banned!

Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Paul Birrell, Chair of WorldPride, has expressed outrage at preparations the city of Riga, Latvia is making to ban Baltic Pride this weekend:

"I am appalled and disgusted that the City of Riga intends banning this important event. Having already agreed to play host, they now claim that a peaceful march for Equality will be ‘immoral'.

"Visitors from across Europe will be joining in Riga for a weekend of cultural events, political discussion and the march. To call this immoral is as offensive as it is inaccurate. I would urge those cities around the world that are in the majority, and celebrate their LGBT population, to join me in condemning the undiluted bigotry of Riga City Council."

15th to 17th May will be the first Baltic Pride - a joint celebration of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian LGBT organisations. This will become an annual event and will take place in Vilnius in 2010 and in Tartu in 2011. Mozaika, this year's host organizations, has held successful pride events in Riga since 2005. In 2007 the organization was twinned with Pride London and held their first march and outdoor event.

The City Council are due to meet tomorrow to ban the event. A motion referring to it as ‘immoral' has already been signed by 34 of 60 councillors.

Useful links:
www.balticpride.eu
www.pridelondon.org

your comments

Huw

said by Huw
on Monday, 18 May 2009, 1:57pm

This story shows why it is so important for eveyone to vote in the forthcoming European Elections. Latvia is a member of the EU and we need to vote for representatiatives in the European Parliament who will callenge homophobia in any member state. As was pointed out at the IDAHOBIT event ysterday, there's still time, but only just, to register to vote if you're not already. In Brighton & Hove the council website link is:

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1201214

MarquisHolmstreau

said by MarquisHolmstreau
on Thursday, 21 May 2009, 1:43pm

Doesn't this go against the European Constitution?
If it does then it should be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights.

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