Baltic Pride 2026
Rainbow Rose and a delegation of activists from across Europe joined Vikeroos and Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond for the 2026 Baltic Pride in Tallinn, Estonia. Our commitment to furthering LGBTIQ+ rights and visibility in the Baltic region is highlighted by our readiness to meet with the community and social democratic parties in their countries, and this was no exception.
It was the first time that Baltic Pride has been held in Estonia since the Riigikogu passed same sex marriage legislation in 2023, and its enforcement since January 2024. So, the occasion was one of celebration. Indeed, Eduart Odinets, MP at the time and leader of Vikeroos, led the passage of same sex marriage, and was a gracious host this year.
Our delegation has gathered for a PES-RR Seminar programme that will inform and motivate on the issues that matter to the LGBTIQ+ community in Estonia, the Baltic region, and across Europe.
Our first panel discussion looked at Estonian proposals for gender recognition legislation. Moderated by Anette Mäletjärv, (Vikerroos), we heard contributions from Riina Sikkut MP, Sara Barbo (Researcher, Tallinn University, and Mel Zelmin (Estonian Trans Alliance).
We learned about the current process to legally change your gender marker, the financial cost of transition and the burden that it has on individuals, as well as the legacies of the Soviet legal framework on the history of gender recognition.
The realm of hate speech and online hate was the focus of the next panel, where we discussed how online hate and anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric leads to real world hatred and violence against our community. Kelly Grossthal of the Human Rights Center Estonia provided an overview of current Hate Speech legislation in Estonia and recent public polling on this issue. We heard from Marina Kaljurand MEP (SDE), Signe Riisalo MP (Reform) and Christian Veske (Equality Commissioner) on what politicians, governments and watchdogs can do to challenge online hate before it has real world consequences.
Our final seminar panel tackled head on the growing influence of the ‘manosphere’. From a decidedly youth perspective, we heard from Liisa Kivilaan (VP Young Social Democrats) and Rowan Ploom (Young Social Democrats), as well as Airi-Alina Allaste (Professor Tallinn University). “From Algorithms to Attitudes: Radicalization, Manospheres, and Risks to LGBTI+ Youth” sought to unpick how young men can become influenced by online content, and how the designers of these algorithms can make a huge impact on what these people see and influence how they feel and see the world. An honest discussion on the lived experience reminded us of the dangers that exist when online hatred translated into physical abuse and violence.
That afternoon we were given a tour of the Estonian Parliament, kindly shown around by Züleyxa Izmailova MP. That evening the delegation met for dinner. We also met with SDE Vice Chair and Member of Parliament, Riina Sikkut.
Ahead of the pride march, the delegation along with local party members met at the Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond headquarters, where we heard updates from across Europe on the political situation for LGBTIQ+ person from member organisations.
As a symbolic act on behalf of Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond, we lowered the party flag and raised the rainbow Vikeroos flag in honour of Baltic Pride. We then marched through the town to the pride meeting point, waving our party flags proudly, where we met the assembled crowd.
On time, and joined by hundreds of participants, we departed the Viru Gate and marched proudly and loudly through the old town. We had a warm reception from onlookers, and the festivities continued at the pride park in Telliskivi.
As the movement of equality, we will always place ourselves in the spaces where visibility is needed, have the often difficult conversations about why progressive moves to LGBTIQ+ equality are needed, and support those with this as their genuine aim. In Estonia, we saw the best of our movement and our community.
