After a backtrack from authorities who originally banned it, Lithaunia's first gay pride march has gone ahead amidst fierce protests. Around 500 people marched in Vilnius, while police kept around 1,000 anti-gay protestors at bay. Reuters reports the main march itself took place without incident, but riot police used tear gas later when anti-gay protesters tried to break through barriers into the area where the parade took place, where participants were still milling around. About 600 police, some with dogs and others on horseback, ringed the event, which was held along the bank of a river. A Lithuanian court initially banned the parade last week, but that was overturned on appeal and the march went ahead. ILGA-Europe's EU Network welcomed the decision as a triumph of the rule of law and democratic values in Lithuania.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 9th May 2010 - 12:41pm