"Vilnius needs no more of these festivals. I believe that developments on Saturday serve as yet another clear proof of the event that has nothing to do with promoting tolerance. It was more of a tool for propaganda of one's own values and lifestyle," Zuokas told BNS on Monday.
The mayor said he had no remarks for the Lithuanian Gay League regarding the event, which went without any major incidents.
"We have no remarks, the event did not lead to any major incidents, of course, it involved extensive efforts on the part of the police and the municipality to organize the event and ensure public peace during the event. We could have avoided the furore, had the organizers accepted the proposal to hold the parade on Upės Street. The aim of the event – to promote tolerance – was not achieved, and this is something we have to regret," Zuokas said.
About 500 people participated in the LGBT pride parade in Vilnius last Saturday, while the crowd of observers including opponents totalled about 700.
Among the participants were several MEPs, Swedish Minister of European Union Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson, and some foreign ambassadors.
Heavy police presence during Saturday's rally led to detention of 28 individuals for hooliganism, including MP Petras Gražulis and former mayor of Kaunas. Two pre-trial investigations were opened.
This year's event was the first LGBT march sanctioned to take place on the central street of Vilnius, even though it took a court ruling to force the municipal authorities to issue a permit. Vilnius municipality initially refused to sanction the venue, however, the court revoked the conclusion.
The first Baltic Pride parade took place on more remote Upės Street in 2010.
