■ Cardinal Pujāts:  “...there can be no minority of alcoholics, homosexuals, drug addicts or any other people if the minority is based on immoral inclinations...”

RIGA, May 27, 2008  –  Gay Prides in Latvia should be seen as unlawful and impermissible, Roman Catholic Cardinal Jānis Pujāts has said in an open letter to the government.

The letter, also signed by 26 priests from Roman Catholic congregations, was sent to Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis (LPP/LC), Interior Minister Mareks Segliņš (TP), and the Rīga City Council just days before Riga Gay Pride and Friendship Days.

The church argues that, although the Latvian constitution states that “human rights shall be implemented without any discrimination”, it also says that rights “may be limited in those cases prescribed by law in order to protect the rights of other people, a democratic system of state, the safety of society, and welfare and morals.”

“Given this text in the constitution, Pride marches in Latvia must be seen as unlawful and must not be permitted, because first of all, they are aimed against morality and the family model which exists in our nation and is enshrined in the fundamental law of the state, the Constitution,” the letter says.

“Homosexuality is against the natural order and, therefore, against the laws of God … homosexuals also claim unlawfully to have the rights of a minority.

“A minority is made up of those who are different from the majority of people because of nationality, language, race, skin colour and other neutral characterisations, but not of moral evaluation,” the letter continues.

“That means that there can be no minority of alcoholics, homosexuals, drug addicts or any other people if the minority is based on immoral inclinations.  Otherwise this would be direct promotion of immorality.”

The Cardinal and priests argue that because it is impossible to permit “the homosexual march without violating the laws of the country”, foreigners who arrive for the march could instead be offered a conference hall in some Rīga hotel where they could organise “an interest club” without any disturbance to talk about those in Latvia who think as they do.

“A ban on the Pride would also cause these foreigners, who are so full of bravado, to think about the fact that they have no right to publicly propagandise perversion in Latvia and expect that this shameful behaviour is even protected by the police,” the letter states.

“This is humiliation to police officials who, iagaints their conscience, are forced during the Pride event to stand with the gays.

“Even more, it would be humiliation for our government –and for the entire nation – if we were to feel captive in front of amoral pressure.

“A responsible decision from the men who are in power is expected by everyone who is concerned about the raising of young people – parents, teachers and clergymen,” the letter concludes.

■  Rīga Gay Pride march is scheduled for Saturday May 31 and will take place along 11th November Shoreline.  It will start by the Anglican Church at 10 am and go to Stone Bridge, and back.  It is expected to conclude at noon.

The Pride is part of Friendship Days, which also includes group discussions, seminars and film screenings.  Organised by Mozaīka, the alliance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transpersons and their friends, is supported by the governments of Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and UK, their embassies hosting a joint reception on Friday.

Translated from Latvian by ILGA-Europe.

SEE ALSO

Gay Prides in Riga and London Compared as ‘Semi-Minister’ Kastēns Is Again Pilloried.  By Kārlis Streips.  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.  (UK Gay News, May 15, 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: 27 May 2008 at 14:00 (UK time)