Thousands March in Vilnius Pride Parade, Demand Equal Rights
Around 18,000 people took part in Vilnius’s annual Pride march on Saturday, calling for same-sex partnerships and adoption rights. Small counter-protests occurred, and eight people were detained for various offences.
Approximately 18,000 participants gathered in Vilnius on Saturday for the annual Pride march, which was held under the slogan "For Equality!". The procession started outside the Martynas Mažvydas National Library and walked to Kalnų Parkas, where a festival concert took place. The event is part of the broader Lithuanian Pride festival.
Marchers urged Lithuanian politicians to recognize same-sex partnerships and adoption rights. Currently, same-sex couples in Lithuania cannot marry or jointly adopt children. Civil partnerships, while recognized by courts, are not registered by the state, forcing couples to seek legal recognition through the courts on a case-by-case basis.
Several politicians joined the march, including members of the Liberal Movement, the Freedom Party, the Lithuanian Greens, the conservative Homeland Union party, Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas, and Social Democrat Laurynas Šedvydis, chair of the parliament's Human Rights Committee.
Small groups of counter-protesters also lined the route, carrying signs such as "Protest against LGBT ideology" and "Family is only a man, woman and children." Some held religious symbols and recited prayers, while others chanted "Lithuania." A 40-year-old social worker named Mykolė said the march conflicted with Christian values.
Police reported that eight people were detained or cited for offences during the march. One was suspected of possessing narcotics, another for public drunkenness, three for obstructing traffic, two minors for failing to comply with police orders, and one for a minor public order offence. At around 3:40 p.m., police also detained a man who threw a black smoke device at marchers. Further details on that incident were not immediately available.
Participants shared their motivations with LRT.lt. Greta, walking with her girlfriend, said visibility was key: "We're showing that there are many of us, that we exist, that we need rights – marriage, so we don't have to go through the courts for partnership." Rimas, a volunteer with LGBT+ organizations, emphasized the march's importance beyond Vilnius: "It's important to show the whole of Lithuania, especially people living in smaller towns and villages, that these people exist, and that it's OK." Egidija stated, "No one person is worth less than another." Romanas, a theologian by training, expressed solidarity with young people and noted that the pursuit of equality challenges society and politicians, but the joyful atmosphere encouraged him.
