IGLYO Reaffirms Its Solidarity With LGBTQ Youth And Students In The Baltics

The International LGBTQ Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO) reaffirms its solidarity with LGBTQ youth and students in the Baltics.

The IGLYO board and secretariat held our board meeting in Vilnius this week, as well as participating in an international human rights conference, facilitating a workshop and marching with Baltic Pride.

IGLYO is disappointed that the organisers of Baltic Pride March for Equality, LGL, had been challenged several times in court by Vilnius City authorities on the location of the Baltic Pride March for Equality.

IGLYO welcomes the decision of the courts to allow the march to take place on Gediminas Avenue, the main city avenue of Vilnius. It is important that all LGBTQ people are able to assemble peacefully in all their diversity.

IGLYO would like to praise the constant work by LGL to ensure that LGBTQ people would be able to march on the main city avenue, and have their human right to assembly respected and affirmed.

IGLYO welcomes the work of the police authorities to ensure all those who had marched would be protected, and to the various embassies accredited to Lithuania who observed the march and supported LGL during the organisation process of Baltic Pride March of Equality.

Commenting on Baltic Pride, the Chair of IGLYO, Roh Petas stated: ‘IGLYO is delighted to see the presence of so many LGBTQ young people at this years Baltic Pride. It’s empowering to see people taking a stand for their human rights and against bigotry and discrimination. We stand with LGL and all LGBTQ youth and students in the Baltic’s as they continue to fight for their basic human rights.’

IGLYO would like to remind the Lithuanian authorities of the importance that was placed on social inclusion and LGBTQ youth during the Irish Presidency of the European Union. We believe this needs to continue into the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union.

IGLYO reaffirms our solidarity with LGL, Baltic Pride and all LGBTQ youth and students in the Baltics, and would like to praise the work of everyone involved in organising Baltic Pride.

Happy Pride from the IGLYO board and secretariat!