Lithuania’s second city Kaunas is hosting its second Pride march Saturday, with organisers and police preparing for the event amid continued calls for greater legal recognition and protection of LGBTQ people.
The march is scheduled to begin at noon from St Michael the Archangel Church, with participants proceeding along Laisvės Avenue toward Ožeškienės Street before returning.
Organisers say preparations have been smoother than in 2021, when Kaunas Pride was held for the first time and drew about 2,000 people.
“We are building on the work done previously, and this time the municipality has been more willing to cooperate,” said Beata Starodubova, a Kaunas Pride representative. “We did not encounter major difficulties in coordinating the route and other details.”
Organisers said attendance could be lower this year, noting that the 2021 event attracted additional attention because of disputes with the municipality, which initially refused to issue a permit, and related court proceedings.
