LGBT+ march begins in Kaunas calling for rights and recognition
Saturday 12th September 2026 on 11:00 in
Lithuania
An LGBT+ community march has begun along Laisvės Avenue, Kaunas’s central avenue, with participants calling attention to LGBT+ rights in Lithuania, LRT reported.
“We were, are and will be part of Lithuania’s history and future, in big cities, towns and villages,” organisers said. They called for respect, recognition, visibility, protection and suitable, accessible healthcare services for everyone.
Participants began gathering at around 11 a.m. on Saturday in Independence Square, next to Kaunas’s St Michael the Archangel Church, also known as the Garrison Church. The march was due to leave at around noon, proceed along Laisvės Avenue towards E. Ožeškienės Street, turn around at the end of the avenue and return to Independence Square.
This is the second such march in Kaunas. The first was held five years ago. Organisers said preparations had gone more smoothly this time than in 2021, when Kaunas municipality did not immediately issue the required permit.
“We are building on the work done previously, and the municipality was also more willing to cooperate this time. We did not face major difficulties while coordinating the event’s route and details,” said Beata Starodubova, a representative of Kaunas Pride.
About 2,000 people attended the 2021 Kaunas Pride march. Organisers said many members of the community still did not feel safe being themselves in public, meaning each participant represented not only themselves but also those who did not dare to join.
Police officers were also preparing for Saturday’s event. Several years ago, aggressive people were seen on and around Laisvės Avenue during the march, and minor scuffles broke out near a fountain.
Kaunas County Police Headquarters said additional police forces, including officers from other counties, had been mobilised to maintain public order. Preventive measures would be carried out on Laisvės Avenue and nearby, the event would be filmed, and checks of participants’ belongings would be conducted.
Police urged attendees to follow the rules, comply with officers’ instructions, avoid escalating conflicts and contact nearby officers or call the emergency number 112 if trouble arose.