A lot of good positive emotions, a bunch of ideas and a wish to socialize – these are only a few of the pleasant experiences we could share about the meeting of the LGBT community which happened on the 30th of June in the town of Šiauliai.

Introductions, as always, were a bit shy in the beginning. However, in a blink of an eye, the uproar got so out of hand that we even had to turn off the TV in the hall. The decision was made: “Tonight we are not en route to football!”

The town of Šiauliai greeted us with hospitality, in the cafe we were welcomed with pleasant service and helpful people. Of course, some troubles are inevitable: a table of “cool guys” who noticed the rather unusual-looking gals, couldn’t control themselves and met them with insulting epithets: “look, what a bunch of lesboes!”. Though the locals apparently were a bit shocked, a couple of beers and the stress was gone… Meanwhile, the meeting was moving forward to more interesting discussions.

And a lot of topics were discussed: each participant’s own experience, coming outs, the situation of Šiauliai regarding homophobia. We shared our opinions on how LGBT people should be represented in public, what kind of actions strengthen the image of the LGBT community in society and what kind of actions degrade it. Not wanting for it to only remain talking, we wrote down all the ideas that are possible to achieve together. Among them are various events for LGBT community, educational camps and education programmes for students. We all agreed that it is very important to work with parents and to install a line of psychological help and counseling (on phone or internet) for LGBT people and their relatives. It is especially pleasant that some of the participants of the meeting expressed their wish to join the LGL association’s team of volunteers.

In the meeting in the town of Šiauliai participated the following representatives of the association LGL: The board’s member Elena Dapkūnaitė, the coordinator of volunteers Dainius Dikšaitis, the volunteers: Tomas Reves, Karina Kavaliauskaitė and the new friends of LGL: Greta, Simona, Reda, Inga, Agnė, Jolanta, Gabrielė ir Paulius.

Without a doubt, we will see each other again!

Just to remind: LGL team periodically organises meetings with LGBT communities in different cities of Lithuania. Previous meetings had taken place in Panavėžys and Klaipeda. There were events in Kaunas during the Rainbow days in May as well.

In the name of the crew of LGL: Dainius.