Kaunas Pride march reaches church after protesters detained
Saturday 12th September 2026 on 13:00 in
Lithuania
The Kaunas Pride march reached the Church of St Michael the Archangel in Kaunas despite confrontations with opponents and several police interventions, LRT reported. The march was held to draw attention to the rights of LGBT+ people in Lithuania.
Participants began gathering at about 11 a.m. on Saturday in Independence Square, next to the church. The procession set off at about noon along Laisvės Avenue towards E. Ožeškienės Street, before turning around and returning to the square.
A group opposing the march gathered near Kaunas City Municipality. One man shouted at police officers and threw an egg at them before being restrained and placed in a police vehicle. A woman who shouted an anti-LGBTQ+ slur was also quickly moved away from the marchers, while officers restrained another man near a shop.
A small group of protesters near the municipality carried Lithuanian flags and crosses, chanted “shame” and called for a “Catholic Lithuania”. They also warned that LGBT+ people would go to hell.
“We have been, are and will be part of Lithuania’s history and future, in big cities, towns and villages,” the organisers said. They called for respect, recognition, visibility, protection and suitable, accessible healthcare for everyone.
Kaunas Pride spokesperson Beata Starodubova said organisers were also demanding adequate representation of queer and LGBTQ+ people in education, legal recognition and appropriate legislation. She said suitable medical services for transgender people should be available outside Vilnius as well.
These were the second Kaunas Pride marches in the city. The first took place five years ago and attracted about 2,000 people. Organisers said many community members still do not feel safe being themselves in public, meaning each participant also represents those who do not dare to join.
Police deployed additional forces, including officers from other police districts. Authorities said preventive measures were being taken around Laisvės Avenue, the event was being filmed and participants’ belongings could be checked. Police urged people to follow officers’ instructions, avoid escalating conflicts and call the emergency number 112 if necessary.