Gay Pride Marches in Latvia Should be Declared Unlawful

RIGA, May 27, 2008 – Gay Prides in Latvia should be seen as unlawful and impermissible, Roman Catholic Cardinal Janis Pujats 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 Seglins (TP), and the Riga 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."