Smoke bombs were set off in a nightclub in Vilnius last night as members of the International Gay and Lesbian Association partied inside. The Lithuanian capital is hosting ILGA Europe's annual conference, despite a ban on a public Rainbow Flag display by the city's mayor. Last night's incident happened at Soho nightclub, which is next to the conference venue, reports Pinknews.co.uk. Partygoers had difficulty breathing but were asked to remain inside the venue for security reasons. ILGA Europe chose to hold their 11th annual conference in Lithuania to highlight the prejudice gay people face in the country. Around 200 delegates from all over Europe are attending the three day meeting. A small group picketed the conference venue on Friday morning, holding posters demanding that delegates go home. They asked passers-by to sign a petition against "homosexual propaganda." Yesterday MEP Michael Cashman and Gesa Boeckermann from the European Commission's Anti-Discrimination Unit took part in panel discussions. A reception last night was addressed by Oskaras Jusys, Lithuanian Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Jusys pointed out that while Lithuania has most of laws in order, there is still a huge gap in the social development and as a result of 50 years of Soviet occupation it will take a while before the country reaches the same level of acceptance and tolerance as in Western Europe. Conservative attitudes are common in Lithuania, as homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet Union until 1993. Earlier this year, PinkNews.co.uk reported that more than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion. A poll last December found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 27th October 2007 - 10:04am