Riga : 2 weeks to go to the second pride
10/07/2006
By
Nikolay Alekseev, Human Rights LGBT Project GayRussia.ru
Riga : 2 weeks to go to the second pride
LGBT activists are ready to host the "Friendship days" in the Latvian capital
Yesterday, the Latvian LGBT organizations Mozaika, ILGA-Latvija and Rigas Praids announced the details of their plan for the upcoming Gay & Lesbian festival scheduled to take place from July 19th to July 22nd in Riga and called "Friendship days".
The events will be opened to everyone as the organizers want to invite everyone to participate in the the march “regardless their sexual orientation”” declared Linda Freimane spokesperson.
“We categorically reject the idea that the march itself will increase intolerance or pose a threat to public safety. In Latvia, as in any country, Pride marches are necessary to show the public that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people exist” added Freimane.
Last year, the first ever Gay Pride march held in the Latvian capital showed an unusual violence when several thousand protesters came to throw stones and eggs to the hundred pride participants who were heavily protected by the police.
Organizers have applied for a permit to hold the gay march on June 7th but did not receive any answer as of today. Nevertherless, they hope for a positive answer. Lisa Freiman reminds that in case of a denial "Latvia will get quite a bit of negative publicity in Europe and America".
Among the foreign guests that are expected to be seen with local marchers will be Members of the European Parliament Sophie In’t Veld and Raul Romeva, both known for their extensive support for LGBT rights in Eastern Europe event. They will be joined by Swedish, Danish and Austrian MPs who will also make the trip to Riga.
Among the foreign activists who will take part, Nikolai Alekseev, organizer of the Moscow Pride festival is expected to be in Riga with a delegation from Project GayRussia. Peter Tatchell, from OutRage! Also promised his best to come to Riga.
“We’ll be in Riga forthe Pride to show our solidarity with our neighbours. We are looking to help our Latvian and Russian friends in their march for equality” said Nikolai Alekseev.
GayRussia.Ru and UkGaynews.co.uk as media partners of the event will provide a live coverage from Riga on July 21st and 22nd.
GayRussia.Ru
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=6245
LGBT activists are ready to host the "Friendship days" in the Latvian capital
Yesterday, the Latvian LGBT organizations Mozaika, ILGA-Latvija and Rigas Praids announced the details of their plan for the upcoming Gay & Lesbian festival scheduled to take place from July 19th to July 22nd in Riga and called "Friendship days".
The events will be opened to everyone as the organizers want to invite everyone to participate in the the march “regardless their sexual orientation”” declared Linda Freimane spokesperson.
“We categorically reject the idea that the march itself will increase intolerance or pose a threat to public safety. In Latvia, as in any country, Pride marches are necessary to show the public that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people exist” added Freimane.
Last year, the first ever Gay Pride march held in the Latvian capital showed an unusual violence when several thousand protesters came to throw stones and eggs to the hundred pride participants who were heavily protected by the police.
Organizers have applied for a permit to hold the gay march on June 7th but did not receive any answer as of today. Nevertherless, they hope for a positive answer. Lisa Freiman reminds that in case of a denial "Latvia will get quite a bit of negative publicity in Europe and America".
Among the foreign guests that are expected to be seen with local marchers will be Members of the European Parliament Sophie In’t Veld and Raul Romeva, both known for their extensive support for LGBT rights in Eastern Europe event. They will be joined by Swedish, Danish and Austrian MPs who will also make the trip to Riga.
Among the foreign activists who will take part, Nikolai Alekseev, organizer of the Moscow Pride festival is expected to be in Riga with a delegation from Project GayRussia. Peter Tatchell, from OutRage! Also promised his best to come to Riga.
“We’ll be in Riga forthe Pride to show our solidarity with our neighbours. We are looking to help our Latvian and Russian friends in their march for equality” said Nikolai Alekseev.
GayRussia.Ru and UkGaynews.co.uk as media partners of the event will provide a live coverage from Riga on July 21st and 22nd.
GayRussia.Ru
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=6245
