Openly gay news commentator Kārlis Streips “lets rip” again in an OpEd for the Latvian daily Diena website  The English translation is by the author.

On London, Riga and the (non)supporting Kastēns

By Kārlis Streips

May 14, 2008

Good morning, everyone!

One of the most interesting films at the recently ended Gay and Lesbian Film Festival was called “Marching Season”.  In it, a BBC journalist compared pride events in 2007 in Rīga and in London.

We all know what happened in Rīga.  Mozaika and its supporters were in the Vermandarzs Park, which was surrounded by the police and a big bunch of apparently very poorly raised morons who knew nothing more than to scream, show their uplifted middle finger, and otherwise demonstrate their stupidity.

As we know, one activist together with his juvenile son threw a petard across the fence (what a wonderful way to raise the younger generation!).  On the day when he was brought before the court, he said that he regrets nothing and would throw a petard again on another occasion.

The London pride event, by contrast, attracted half a million people and more.

Including Mayor Ken Livingstone.  Including uniformed police officers and fire fighters, and by no means were all of them gays or lesbians.  Including representatives of the British Royal Armed Forces.

By the way, there were also uniformed representatives of the police and the armed forces at the Friendship Days event in Rīga.  Sadly, they were from Sweden.  The lesbians and gays who do excellent work in the Latvian armed forces and law enforcement institutions apparently still cannot participate in that way.

In our city, of course, the mayor will not take part in any event of this type.  Neither will our little semi-minister Kastēns, who explained in the newspaper today that “I am not a representative of this group of people”.

Which group?  That would be Mozaika, whose name contains the concept “lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered people and their supporters.”

Clearly, the little semi-minister is not a gay.  He could not be a lesbian even if he really wanted to be one.

The problem is with the concept “supporters”.  The little semi-minister has said in the past that he loves all non-governmental organisations.  He has even said happy things about Mozaika – if only Mozaika were to organise only seminars and meetings, then all would be well.

So we cannot really say that he is not a supporter.  Alas, in truth he is an enemy.  An enemy not only of Mozaika, but also of the civil society.

Because if the little semi-minister can only support those “groups of people” which he himself represents, then there is a bad future not only for gays and lesbians, but also for women, people of colour, the Roma people, Jews, differently-abled people and non-Latvians.

Those are also “groups of people” which may have problems with integration.  And they are also “groups of people” in which this white, heterosexual and male child of God who is our little semi-minister simply does not fit in.  How sad.

Have a nice day, everyone.

ALSO BY KāRLIS STREIPS

Gay Latvian Media Commentator on ‘Semi-Minister’ Kastens’ Outburst.  Following the outbursts of Latvian Integration Minister Oskars Kastēns last week on Riga Gay Pride parade, the openly gay new commentator Kārlis Streips “let rip” in two  blog commentaries on the Latvian daily Diena website  The English translation is by the author. (UK Gay News, May 1, 2008)

SEE ALSO

Venue for Gay Pride March Confirmed by Riga City Council.  An agreement has been struck between the Riga City Council and organisers of this month’s Gay Pride for the location of the march, the Latvian press reported yesterday.  (UK Gay News, May 14, 2008)

Riga Council Can’t Switch Us Off, Say Latvian Gays.  By Kristine Garina.  Talking about illusions… We have gay-themed TV series like Will & Grace on TV.  We even have Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and it’s widely popular and everyone watches it.  But it’s just something out there, not here. (UK Gay News, May 9, 2008)

Riga Gay Pride 2008: In a Park Behind the Fence – Again?  The office of Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Integration Minister Oskars Kastens have both said that next month’s Riga Pride and March for Equality should take place in an enclosed park as last year at Vermanes Park in central Riga.  UK Gay News, April 25, 2008.

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Posted: 15 May 2008 at 00:00 (UK time)