A May 16 “pride” march in downtown Rīga by supporters of sexual minorities is on again after a Latvian court overturned a ban on the event.
The Administrative District Court in Rīga ruled May 15 that the Rīga City Council’s Commission on Meetings, Marches and Demonstrations erred when it decided to disallow the march, Latvian media report.
The march, scheduled to begin in the Vērmaņdārzs park and then move into surrounding streets, is being organized by the Mozaīka organization as part of Baltic Friendship Days. City officials originally had approved the event. After conservative politicians and religious leaders complained about the decision, the commission on May 14 cited security concerns when it decided to halt the march.
Mozaīka, an organization that advocates for the rights of gays, lesbian, bisexuals and transgender people, appealed to the administrative court.
In a statement applauding the court’s decision, Mozaīka said it hopes the event will be peaceful.
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It’s these kinds of things that are keeping Latvia in the dark ages. If Latvia wants to stay EU, it needs to look forward and be progressive like the EU. If they want to re-criminalize homosexuality, then let Russia take over. I am ashamed of all the intolerance in my homeland.