Vilnius is about freedom to be oneself – it is a tolerant city open to diversity. Today Vilnius City Council approved the proposal of the Historical Memory Commission to give the street by the Neris Quay, going from Upės street to the White Bridge the name of Tolerancijos (en. Tolerance) street.
It is symbolic that Tolerancijos street appeared just after the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, when the European Union confirmed again its obligation to respect, protect and fulfil equal and versatile use of human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
This street goes through the beach volleyball court and the skate park towards the White Bridge.
“The changes that have been made in Vilnius in the last 12 years are huge: some time ago, the LGBT Pride Parade was held back on Upės street, while today we have Tolerancijos street by the White Bridge. It will promote tolerance and remind about changes in the society,” – said Council member Vincas Jurgutis.
The Baltic Pride Parade “For equality and peace!” is coming back to Vilnius on the 4th of June. The conference “Open Cities” is also organised, while the concert “Proud Cites” will be held on the meadow of the White Bride, close to Tolerancijos street, immediately after the parade.
The capital was the first among the municipalities of the country to join the Lithuanian Diversity Charter in 2019 already. It undertook to assure equal opportunities in the work place regardless of the person’s age, gender, disability, race, ethical origin, sexual identity or religious beliefs. The organisations that join the Charter undertake not only to instil the variety ensuring instruments in the work place, to apply holistic and non-selective approach to diversity and human rights, to foster including work environment without any prejudices, but also to form the diversity policy and to apply the diversity principles in all the activities of the organisation, management processes and culture.
Vilnius City is going to continue demonstrating leadership in the field of diversity and equal opportunities. Only the internal work culture based on these principles can ensure that all the residents of Vilnius City will be able to use the city services without any discrimination.
Today, the Council also gave the names of the Lithuanian towns Mažeikiai, Elektrėnai and Plungė to nameless streets in Paneriai district.
