Protesters rally against LGBTQ+ event in Vilnius, citing Christian values

A group of protesters gathered near Vilnius Cathedral on Saturday to voice their opposition to the "Lithuanian Pride" LGBTQ+ event, holding banners with slogans such as "Protest against LGBT ideology" and "Hands off children."

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We defend Christian values, because Lithuania has long been the land of Mary. And this is incomprehensible. We are only for Christian values, for a beautiful, orderly and clean Lithuania, without any colors.

Participants sang Christian hymns, prayed, and displayed Lithuanian flags and Christian symbols. One protester, Mykolė, stated she felt a duty to defend Christian values, emphasizing Lithuania's historical connection to the Virgin Mary and advocating for a "clean Lithuania, without any colors."

Another participant, Saulius, who identifies as Christian, expressed his belief that people should be able to voice diverse opinions. He suggested that LGBTQ+ individuals are misled and that "sin, fornication only destroys people." He criticized the "forced" promotion of LGBTQ+ ideology in media and arts, arguing it creates a one-sided narrative.

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I just came today and joined. I think people should express various opinions. There is a part of society that does not support that propaganda and the imposition, the pushing of LGBTQ+ ideology. Because everywhere – through films, through art – it is being pushed everywhere and a truly one-sided picture is being made.

Greta, also a protester, found the worldview of the LGBTQ+ march participants unacceptable, stating, "God created girls and boys to love each other." She asserted that individuals should embrace their God-given identity and not attempt to change their gender.

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And I am a Christian, I profess a Christian worldview and I think that those sins, fornication only destroy people. I feel sorry for those people who are misled. (...) That pretense of joy, it is only external, and if you look at the statistics and how their lives turn out, there is nothing good in it.

The counter-protest took place as the "For Equality!" march, a large and colorful gathering, proceeded from the Martynas Mažvydas Library to Kalnų Park. Organizers stated the march aimed to send a clear political message that all families in Lithuania are important. This event follows a Constitutional Court ruling last April that found the lack of legal recognition for same-sex partnerships in Lithuania to be unconstitutional.

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In my opinion, what is happening today is not very healthy, because God created girls and boys to love each other. Moreover, I do not support boys born as boys trying to become girls, because what God gave them, they should love who they are. But certainly not become who they want.