Lithuanian Gay League excludes artist Ruslanas Kirilkinas from Pride festival

The Lithuanian Gay League has announced its decision to withdraw Lithuanian artist Ruslanas Kirilkinas from the lineup of the "Lithuanian Pride" festival. The organization cited public information regarding potentially inappropriate behavior as the reason for the exclusion.

In a statement, the league acknowledged Kirilkinas's significant role as one of the first openly gay artists in Lithuania, contributing to the visibility of the LGBT community. However, they emphasized that performers at their festival are expected to serve as exemplary role models for the community.

Kirilkinas himself declined to comment when approached by the news portal Žmonės.lt.

The "Lithuanian Pride" festival, organized by the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL in collaboration with the association "M.A.M.A. Awards," is scheduled to take place in Kalnų Park. The event aims to celebrate diversity, equality, and the right to self-expression, creating a safe and welcoming space for all attendees.

The festival will feature a concert with both Lithuanian and international artists, including Spanish Eurovision stars Nebulossa, Lithuanian Eurovision representative Silvester Belt, French artist Savanah, and drag performers LaDiva Live from Belgium and Catherine d’Oex from Switzerland. The event will also include the Rainbow Awards ceremony, honoring individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the LGBT community's visibility, safety, and rights in Lithuania.

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Responding to information that has appeared in the public space about potentially inappropriate behavior, we have decided not to give the stage to Ruslanas Kirilkinas at the @Lithuanian Pride concert. We value Ruslan's contribution as one of the first openly gay artists in Lithuania to the visibility of the LGBT community, but the artists performing at our concert must be role models for our community.