"The Pride Parade reminds us that while Estonia has had marriage equality for two years, we must continue to work toward ensuring the safety, freedom of expression and full inclusion of LGBT+ individuals in our society," Tsahkna said in a statement on Saturday.

"The right to love is a human right, and no one should experience discrimination, bullying, exclusion or violence because of their gender identity or sexual orientation," he emphasized.

Organized by the Estonian LGBT Association, this year's Tallinn Pride, themed "No Heart Left Behind," brings together members and supporters of the LGBT+ community, including for Saturday's Pride Parade through the city.

Estonia remains firmly committed to protecting the rights of sexual and gender minorities both at home and internationally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It is a founding member of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an intergovernmental body of 45 member states founded in 2016 and dedicated to the protection of the rights of LGBT+ persons.

Earlier this month, Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its foreign representations worldwide also flew Pride flags on May 17 in honor of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).

"We will continue working to ensure that all people can live authentically, with dignity and security, in a free and equal society," Tsahkna added.

The minister and his fellow Eesti 200 party mates also took part in the Pride parade through Tallinn's Old Town on Saturday afternoon.

Estonia above European average

This year, Estonia placed 21st on ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, which compares LGBTIQ+ rights in 49 countries across Europe. It received a score of 45.91 percent, a slight fall from 46.14 percent in 2024.

Estonia is above the European average (41.85 percent) but below the European Union average (51.13 percent).

The organization called for the government to introduce a national LGBTIQ+ Action Plan, to introduce hate crime and speech laws legislation, and to reform the legal framework for legal gender recognition.

Malta, Belgium and Iceland top the index with scores of above 80 percent, while Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia are at the bottom on less than 5 percent each.

The Map ranks each country under seven categories: equality and non-discrimination; family; hate crime and hate speech; legal gender recognition; intersex bodily integrity; civil society space; and asylum.

ILGA-Europe is an independent, international non-governmental umbrella organisation uniting over 700 organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia.

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