LGBTQ events are planned in the capital before Midsummer

After a 14-year break, “Riga Pride” will return to the capital this summer – an event with an extensive program is planned a week before Midsummer, from June 13 to 19. Expressing support and solidarity for the LGBTQ community in Ukraine, Riga Pride will be held together this year and as part of the Kiev Pride with the message “Until we are all free”, informed Kaspars Zālītis, co-chairman of Riga Pride, the LSM portal reports.

Dozens of events will take place during the Pride Week from 13 to 19 June, including discussions, conferences, workshops, exhibitions and concerts. At the culmination of the week – on June 18 at 12 “March for Freedom” planned.

An extensive program of activities dedicated to the topic of freedom will take place during the week.

“Think Diversity!” – The Baltic Diversity Business Forum this summer will be the largest conference in the field of diversity management, during which entrepreneurs and organizations will share stories of how to promote an inclusive work environment and see diversity as a competitive advantage. The forum will focus on transferring good practice to companies in the field of diversity management, and the signing ceremony of the Latvian Diversity Charter will also take place during it.

In the event “Conversations on Freedom”, certain personalities in Latvia will share human stories of what freedom means to them and how it is when it is taken away. In the “Women’s Stand” and together with the favorite comedians in Latvia, “PRIDE razborkās” will laugh about various current events in society. Political discussions will take place, in which it will be possible to find out the views of the parties before the 14th Saeima elections, as well as discussions on the legal protection of same-sex families, health issues and issues of inclusion of social groups.

Pride Week will end with the main and central event of “Riga Pride” on June 18, when the “March for Freedom” will gather thousands of people in the central streets of Riga, standing up for the highest value – freedom. The march will end with a special holiday concert “Together for Freedom!”, Where well-known and beloved musicians in Latvia will perform.

Zālītis noted that “Riga Pride” is the first pride in Europe to announce cooperation with the Kiev Pride, and elsewhere in the world this summer the marches will take place in the sign of Ukraine.

“In this pride season, solidarity will replace much of Europe ‘s joy.

Solidarity with those who are currently fighting for their freedom to exist and to be themselves. The LGBTQ community in Ukraine is fighting side by side with its fellow citizens for their freedom. We have to march this year not only for ourselves but also for them. On the right of everyone to live in a secure environment and country. For your, your neighbor’s and your country’s freedom. On the right to live in a safe environment and in the country. Kristīne Garina, co-chairwoman of Riga Pride, explained about her, her neighbor and her country’s freedom.

Zālītis emphasized that although the pride is about the rights of LGBTQ people, it is especially important now to talk about common values ​​and how to protect every member of our society, regardless of his or her sexual orientation, ethnic origin, gender or affiliation.

“The war in Ukraine has shown that freedom and democracy are fragile, and we must stand up for them every day. Only democracy guarantees the human rights enshrined in the Constitution, and only together as a society are we stronger and able to withstand various threats, both internal and external.” admits Kaspars Zālītis.

“Riga Pride” is supported and will be carried out in cooperation with “Printful”, “Swedbank”, “Accenture”, “KPMG Latvija”, “Sexy Style”, “Wrong”, Flemish Representation in Poland and the Baltic States, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Embassy of France, Goethe Institute in Riga and Totaldobži.

“Riga Pride” is organized by the LGBT and their friends’ association “Mozaika” in cooperation with the advertising agency VUCA, the Cannabis Cultural Center, “Active Rainbow”, the Latvian Diversity Charter, Rosenbaum and its sisters and many other non-governmental organizations.

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