Sweden’s Minister for European Union Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson is planning to participate in the Baltic Pride parade in Vilnius on May 8.   The Minister announced this to the journalists during her visit to Vilnius on 4 March.  The Minister also stated that she will also participate in the 11 March celebrations in Vilnius.  The newly appointed Minister stated that it is equally important for her to take part in both celebrations.

The Minister said to journalists, “I will be one of the participants who will give speeches. I also call for more people to participate. I’m going to try to gather my colleagues at the Ministry of European Union Affairs to join me. I know that more people are interested. It is important to attract more politicians to the event.”

Birgitta Ohlsson also criticized a controversial Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effects of Public Information, which censors certain information as unacceptable for the country’s youth.  The Law came into effect on 1 March.  The Minister said, “I know that the word “homosexuality” was removed from the law but, at the same time, you are not allowed spread information about the same sex marriages, for example, and about other not traditional family values.  It is not beneficial for teenagers and the open society to apply the laws, which related to censorship in any way. This is not a correct way to proceed, you have to be open.”  She also added that this law is seriously damaging Lithuania’s image abroad.

The Swedish Minister thinks that in democracy and open society the homosexual minority should not excises any special rights, they should be given basic human rights.