Lithuanian MP Petras Gražulis was filmed dancing and singing to a homophobic song, which he said was a protest against quarantine restrictions on gyms and sports.
The controversial MP is known for his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, as well as a recent incident, when a naked man flashed behind him on camera during a parliamentary meeting.
On Monday, Gražulis was filmed bouncing with a group of men from Kangoo Club, gym enthusiasts using special trainers made for jumping. Together with them, Gražulis chanted the infamous homophobic song – “Kas nešokinės tas pyderas” (“who doesn’t jump is a fag [sic]”).
Gražulis told LRT.lt he was invited by Kangoo Club to take part in the protest action and that the song was suggested by the club itself. However, he said he didn't object to it.
“Because the shoes are interesting – they bounce, so they chose such a song,” said Gražulis. “I’m not against it.”
In a written comment, representative of the Kangoo Club in Lithuania, Brigita Barkauskaitė, stressed the effects of the quarantine on their business sector.
However, she did not answer the question about the homophiobic chants.
Meanwhile, Klaipėda Municipality said they hadn’t received a request for a permit to stage a rally.
The police told LRT.lt they will investigate whether the stunt violated current quarantine restrictions, which include a ban on contacts between households, as well as for breaches of public order.
The ethics commission of the Lithuanian parliament will also look into the incident.
“Petras isn’t someone who has not been [under investigation by] our commission,” said Aušrinė Norkienė, head of the commission.
“He is usually one of the more popular objects of our probes. Whether we help bring him to his senses, I don’t know, but we try,” she added.
Read more: Lithuanian MP Gražulis stripped of legal immunity
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