Baltic Pride 2021
News
07 August 2021
‘Baltic Pride 2021’ took place in Riga from 2 August to 7 August.
This year, the leading theme of ‘Baltic Pride’, under the slogan ‘until we are all equal’, was equality and the creation a society inclusive of all minority groups, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, nationality or other characteristics.
The Embassy of Ireland in Latvia, in conjunction with a number of other Embassies in the region, was proud to support this year’s ‘Baltic Pride’ including an event honouring ‘Heroes and Change makers’ in the field of LGBTQI rights and Human Rights in Latvia and in the Baltics.
A wide and varied programme of events was organised including workshops, discussions, exhibitions, films, conferences and more. Almost all events were available online this year.
The week’s festivities culminated on 7 August with Pride Day - the traditional Pride Parade this year being replaced by the ‘Ride with Pride show’, where a special bus drove through the streets of Riga to visit supporters, organisations and activists.
The idea of ‘Baltic Pride’ began over a decade ago when LGBT organisations from the three Baltic countries met for a seminar in 2007 to develop a common strategy in order to advance the human rights of LGBT people in the region. The first Baltic Pride festival was held in Riga in 2009 with the event now being hosted in each of the three Baltic countries in rotation. ‘Baltic Pride’ has become a symbol of Baltic strength and unity by inspiring bigger and more powerful Pride marches and empowering the LGBT community across the three countries.