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Representatives of sexual minorities express reproaches: in Klaipeda little attention is paid to their affairs, the authorities of the port city ignore youth initiatives and the LGBT members themselves feel unsafe in the port city.
Invited and canceled
LGBT representatives set out to organize a picket in Klaipeda called “We are on the brink of the abyss.”
However, the young people distributed a report on such an event on Wednesday night, when it was already clear that the quarantine would take effect from midnight on Saturday and no public events would be allowed.
The former employee of the newspaper “Vakarų ekspresas”, and before that Jonas Valaitis, moderator of the facebook group for youth of “Lietuvos rytas”, one of the active members of this organization, assured that he and his friends were still not clear about what and how the government of the country would ban.
What are we picketing against? Against the inaction of politicians on this issue. They could do a lot.
As soon as the picket line to be held on Saturday at Atgimimo Square in Klaipėda was announced, it was soon canceled.
Another organizer of this event, Kirilas Snežkas, began posting a message on social media that the picket had been canceled.
“Our goal is to draw the attention of people and politicians to LGBT issues, to encourage other LGBT people not to be afraid to express themselves. This picket will be a great opportunity for LGBT people to see that they are not alone, that there are people around it. We want to implement the rainbow crossing project in Klaipeda to create more LGBT-friendly places and events so that there is no fear of talking about this issue, “said K. Snežko when presenting the event on the social network .
The picket would come in two
K. Snežkas journalists asked: if there was no quarantine period, how many LGBT members would have protested in Revival Square?
“Come on you two,” said the young man.
The boy explained that there are no associations or societies registered in the port city for gays.
“However, we have a chat site with 36 registered people. Maybe on Saturday we will move this picket to virtual space. We are still looking for a way to do it,” K Snežko did not hide.
When asked what requirements the representatives of sexual minorities will make during the picket, K. Snežko explained that homosexuals are preparing to protest against the government’s indifference.
“LGBT people are very afraid of revealing themselves. I hear stories like this from other people. We want to show that we are like that. These people find it very difficult to accept themselves. I have been through so long myself. We want to show LGBT people. they are not alone. “What are we picketing against? Against the inactivity of politicians in this matter. They could do a lot so that our community members do not feel so much self-pity, “K.Snežko taught wonderfully in Lithuanian.
Asked about what measures the city authorities should take to show their indifference towards this community, the young man replied that there could be at least one bench painted in the colors of the rainbow in the city.
You want color transitions
The picket organizers, naming Klaipeda as not very friendly to the LGBT community, made various arguments. Young people were outraged that the port city authorities had not allowed the construction of a pedestrian crossing marked in the colors of the rainbow.
Kirilas Snežkas / Editorial file photo.
Rimantas Mockus, Head of the Transportation Directorate of the City Municipality, assured that the request was answered negatively due to the laws in force in the country.
“The law says very clearly how and in what colors crosses are marked. There can be no fantasy here. Neither blue nor green crosses are colored. This is how we responded to the request that we must comply with the law ”, assured Mockus.
There has been a public debate on several occasions among authorities about the fact that various initiatives on the roads can pose a safety threat by distracting drivers.
LGBT members responded by pointing fingers at the Vilnius municipality, which found ways to install a rainbow crossing in the capital.
“No, of course, we do not want it to be installed at the expense of the budget, at the expense of all the townspeople. We would have taken care of the crossing ourselves. Well, we would have it in crayons, we would have to find a company with permits for that work. We only asked We only expressed a proposal, an idea, and immediately a categorical letter arrived: no, it is not possible. It is very strange. In Vilnius it is possible, and in Klaipeda it is not “, – surprised J. Valaitis.
I would like premises and projects
Naming the areas where the city should spread, J.Valaitis expressed several wishes, but above all emphasized that representatives of sexual minorities feel insecure.
“Well no, I can go to the market. But if I went to the market with my hands on my boyfriend, I don’t know if I would be healthy,” Valalaitis said.
The guy mentioned another case that surprised him. When leaving the beach with another friend, a passenger in a car driving down the street replied to the boys: “And I am from a traditional family.”
“How often do heterosexual people get such comments? And why do we have to do them? People’s reactions are different. Some of them may be annoying and some of them may not pay attention. But there are more sensitive people,” said J. Valitis.
Unsafe: J.Valaitis doesn’t feel safe in Klaipeda. The guy would be afraid to approach the market with his hands clasped with his friend. / V. Photo by Kesminė
Blaming the port city authorities, he mentioned that Klaipeda gays and lesbians must have a venue in the port city, as members of this community feel unsafe.
“We suggest that a certain percentage of the projects developed by the city council be dedicated to solving the problems of the LGBT community. We would do it ourselves. If possible, we would develop such projects. For example, there could be discussions to inform the public. Sessions could be held. LGBT center in Klaipeda “, – explained J.Valaitis.
When asked why the city should allocate buildings or premises to representatives of sexual minorities with budget funds, J.Valaitis answered the question.
“And who needs centers for children? And who needs orphanages? And can an LGBT person be left alone in a corner? Who has such a life? There is immediate resistance, who needs it here? Well, we need it. If people feel that need. ” , I feel the desire to unite and be together. And how can we be if we feel excluded from society. I feel excluded from society. I have to explain to everyone that there is LGBT and what we want, what we demand. I don’t feel very safe in society, “said J.Valaitis.
The mayor likes all colors
The mayor of Klaipėda, Vytautas Grubliauskas, trying to refute the reproaches of the LGBT representatives, recalled that until now no religious denomination or national community has described the port city as an unsafe or intolerant city.
“I have seen, heard and communicated with these young people, but I do not understand why it is unsafe for this community in Klaipeda. The administration issued the picket permit, it must be. I do not know where and in what environments they may feel discriminated against, but in terms of the city’s common position. “Klaipeda has long been famous for its exceptional tolerance towards non-believers, foreigners and all other people,” wondered V. Grubliauskas.
When asked about the transition of the rainbow color, V. Grubliauskas assured that all colors are beautiful for him.
Vytautas Grubliauskas / Editorial file photo.
“The more the merrier. I have not analyzed the legislation, probably some professionals know it better. But I think that if it does not go against the legislation, the transition can be in a variety of colors. Perhaps it would attract more attention. Or maybe there could be piano keys decorated with colors. I would not be shocked by the multi-colored crossing. The only point is that it must be visible, safe and not in conflict with legal acts, “said the mayor of Klaipeda.
No reservations will be applied
V. Grubliauskas, upon learning of the desire of the LGBT community to meet at the premises intended for them, was surprised that the municipality had never received such a request.
“There should be no discrimination or any protection for affiliation to one community or another. The provision of premises for the loan is very clearly defined by law. If the application contained arguments that would comply with the law, no one would discriminate against them. But I have not heard talk about such a request, “he said. V. Grubliauskas.
The mayor evaluated the proposal of J.Valaitis to include a certain percentage of initiatives in the projects elaborated by the municipality of the port city only for the LGBT community as discriminatory in relation to other communities.
“I do not think that all projects can be differentiated according to the positions assigned to one or another part of the community. There can be no discrimination against this community, not even the language. But you cannot give priorities just because they exist. For example, the Disability community problems are a completely different case. “I suppose that giving a certain exclusivity to a community can cause confrontation and resentment, emotional tension. And nobody really needs that, “said V. Grubliauskas.
Correct methods for discussions
V. Grubliauskas assured that the somewhat active LGBT community on the coast had lost its acquaintance, but publicly asked its members a question.
“If they say that something is intolerant of them and that their rights are being restricted, let them name it: when and what have they asked and when have they responded? And they didn’t receive anything because someone discriminated against them? Or maybe because of that, that It turned out that someone was discriminated solely for belonging to this community, I would be the first to pour myself on the ashes if it were up to me, instead, would someone in the market have more expensive cabbage for them? Sold because they are members of that community, Or maybe they cut more expensive on the hairdresser because they declare certain minority dependencies? Many of these questions can be found. If such demonstrations occur, the noise would be at the international level. But if discussions are needed on these issues, ways can be found more correct, not with provocations or pickets. You just have to come and have a bold discussion, “said V. Grubliauskas.
He recalled that next year in Klaipeda could become a great platform for such discussions.
“Klaipeda will become the European capital of youth. It will definitely be possible to find good platforms of expression for this community,” recalled V. Grubliauskas.
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