The first “Rainbow crossing” in Lithuania opens in Vilnius!

A colorful evening in Vilnius – the very first in Lithuania and Vilnius: “Rainbow crossing” opened in Pylimo St. 21! On the eve of International Day against homophobia,  biphobia and transphobia, the pedestrian crossing to the LGBT Community Center is decorated with Rainbow colors. This crossing is important for the community, as it symbolically connects the Vilnius City LGBT Center with the jazz club square, which has become a favorite gathering place. During the event a rainbow colored flag of 30 m long was unfolded.

“Vilnius is a city open for everyone. People of different nationalities and faith have been living here for a long time. Vilnius is also open to the LGBT community. This crossing is just a symbol, but in my opinion it is very significant. It’s time to move on and address other topical issues, such as making partnerships legal. Vilnius Municipality cannot make this decision alone, therefore, I send my regards to the Seimas and the Government to dare and start solving this issue, ” said Vincas Jurgutis, member of Vilnius City Council.

The opening of the rainbow color crossing is one of the more striking accents in the Rainbow Days festival program of 2018. During the week of events, the traditional Rainbow bus trip will be available in the streets of Vilnius, as well as the screening of films and performances, discussions, press conference and public awareness campaign in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. This year’s international IDAHOT slogan is “united in solidarity”.

“We are pleased that Vilnius municipality has already issued a permit for Baltic Pride Vilnius 2019 marches to be held in Lithuania in June 2019. It gives us hope – there are less and less barriers and bans in our country. We begin to live our lives, be visible, open, ” says Vladimir Simonko, head of LGL association.

Rainbow crossings are popular abroad, but in Lithuania so far it didn’t exist. “This is a very small thing, but  all the progressive capitals of the world have it. I am pleased that Vilnius has also become such a city, ” says Aušrinė Armonaitė, a member of the Seimas.

Today, at a press conference in the Seimas, Lithuania’s position in the annual “Rainbow Index” was discussed, in which Lithuania has risen to 37^th  place from the previous 39^th in the recent year, leaving its neighbors Latvia and Poland behind but still listed below Estonians. More about it: https://rainbow-europe.org/.