On Friday, 22nd of January, Lithuania's gay rights advocacy groups LGL and TYA has asked the Vilnius City Municipality for permission to hold a march for equality as part of Baltic Pride 2010 events in May. The organizers of the event suggested the march in the center of Vilnius (Rudninku street) with a short meeting in front of Vilnius City Hall to unfold rainbow flag in the end.

After Vilnius City Municipality‘s refusal of this route arguing that there are other events planned near Vilnius City Hall on May 8th, organizers suggested three other routes for the march. However, City Municipality was not satisfied and suggested the only place for the march – Olimpieciu and Rinktines streets with meeting in the parking-lot near Vilnius Concert and Sports Palace. This place stands on Vilnius historic Jewish cemetary of Snipiskes. Official permission for this route is already given in writing although without an approval of the Baltic Pride organizers.

The Department of Cultural Heritage disagrees with Vilnius historic Jewish cemetary of Snipiskes usage as a place for mass events and demands Vilnius City Municipality to change the place for mass public events.

Organizers respect this opinion of the Department of Cultural Heritage and will seek that Vilnius City Municipality would consider other places for the march.

On Thursday, 28th January, Vilnius City Municipality announced that Ambassador of the United States Anne E. Derse expressed support for the decision to let gay march in Vilnius.