Welcoming note from the Lithuanian Gay League

Dear friends,

The Vilnius conference team lead by Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) is delighted to welcome ILGA-Europe members to the first European Capital of Culture among the new member states - city of multicultural life and vitality. Together we can make Vilnius the city of diversity too.

2007 is an exceptional year for all of us: we are celebrating the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Annual conference in Lithuania is a great opportunity to join our experience, ambitions and competence for discussing urgent problems and creating a powerful strategy for promoting equality and LGBT rights for 2008-2011. We need your presence, your spirit of freedom and courage in order to combat vastly spreading homophobia in the region.

The Vilnius conference team would like to invite you to join the public action on Thursday, 25th October and fly the 30 meters long rainbow flag at the Town Hall square in Vilnius. The aim of this action is to highlight the importance of solidarity in safeguarding human rights, to stand up to the unlawful actions of Vilnius municipality, when it banned LGBT event in May this year. Bring along the rainbow and your national flags; let’s shine in all colors of life!

The social program that our team is preparing promises to be an exciting one giving each and every one of us a chance to relax and have some fun. Vilnius LGBT scene is rather small but undoubtedly exciting; the public rainbow flag event takes place on Thursday, women’s night is on Friday and on Saturday we gather for a grand celebration in the biggest gay-club in Baltic states – Men’s Factory.

The conference will be held from 25 – 28 October 2007 in the heart of the OldTown, historical centre of Vilnius, one of the largest in Eastern Europe. The Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is enchanting with narrow streets, cozy courtyards, lively cafés and inns.

We are looking forward to seeing you all in Vilnius!

18th June 2007