Skip to main content

Latvia: Riga government urged to back Gay Pride celebration

GAY RIGHTS activists called on the Latvian government yesterday to come out in support of an international Gay Pride march in the capital Riga this weekend.

EuroPride, which celebrates the rights of LGBT people in a different European city every year, will be held in the Latvian capital on Saturday at the end of a week-long festival that began on June 15.

While EuroPride organisers say law enforcement authorities have been very co-operative, the Latvian government has failed to welcome the event.

When asked about it last December, Latvian President Andris Berzins stated that “homosexuality should not be advertised and imposed.”

In 2005, a gay pride march in Riga was marred by violence and hostility, as 70 activists defied more than a thousand homophobic counter-protesters who tried to block the march, used tear gas and threw eggs at the marchers.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today