Baltic Pride 2025
15,000 people came together in the streets of Vilnius in Lithuania to make this the largest Baltic Pride in memory - and we were there as a social democrat and labour delegation to add our solidarity and strength.
This early June gathering officially opened at a gala welcome event held in the Old Theatre of Vilnius. Between queer performances and drag entertainment, we heard fireside chats with community leaders. It was a great way to get people together who had travelled far and wide ahead of the march.
The next day, our delegation participated in the Baltic Pride Inclusive Workplace Conference. The theme of the conference centred on how our workplaces need to become more inclusive, and how legal rights and societal change need to support that inclusivity.
We heard opening speeches from Lithuanian, Baltic, and Nordic politicians and community leaders. We then heard a keynote speech on the concerns posed by Artificial Intelligence for the LGBTIQ+ community and how it interacts with the law and social inclusion. The shadow of President Trump, and the backlash caused by his rhetoric and policies, was the topic of discussion with NGOs and corporate representatives.
The discussion then returned to the situation of the LGBTIQ+ community in Lithuania, where the topics of LGBTIQ+ youth and employment, as well as LGBTIQ+ inclusiveness in education, drew the attention of delegates.
The conference was important to bring together the pride organisers from the Lithuanian Gay League, and activists, stakeholders, and sponsors, so that the ability to host a Baltic Pride was made possible.
On the morning of the pride event, we hosted PES-Rainbow Rose panel under the theme “No more excuses: Unlocking political will for LGBTI+ Equality in the Baltics”.
We had the pleasure to be joined by Dr. Laurynas Šedvydis (Chair, Seimas Committee on Human Rights) Dr. Giedrė Purvaneckienė (Advisor to the Prime Minister on Equal Opportunities; Honorary Member, LSDP), Eduard Odinets (President Vikerroos, Estonia), Simona Padegimaitė (Chairperson, Socialdemocratic Youth Union), Birutė Sabatauskaitė (Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson) who all contributed to a lively debate on topical issues within the LGBTIQ+ community.
The discussion began with the recent Constitutional Court of Lithuania decision to open up civil partnerships, that now needs the Seimas to pass legislation. What form it takes was a point of discussion, as well as the various political strategies to deliver it. Reflections on the progress in Estonia added to the debate on why we should pursue an agenda that at its heart has equality and social justice at its heart - core values of social democrats.
The consensus was that political leadership was needed to deliver the legislation, and that a longer term plan for political education of members and supporters, and to attract youth support, would be needed to deepen the commitment to LGBTIQ+ rights overall.
And for the march itself, we gathered alongside members of the youth wing of the LSDP and LSDP party members. With a record number of people marching, we were a presence on the streets of Vilnius. The march went off without any incident, and two controlled counter protests made their opposition known to us, but well wishers along the route more than outnumbered them.
Although the Baltic Pride was well attended, it is crucial that we continue to participate and lend our support to prides in countries on the frontline of global disturbances. And we at Rainbow Rose will always put our case forward for how social democracy and equality for LGBTIQ+ people supports the wellbeing of all people.
