The largest bank in Latvia raised a rainbow flag next to its multi-story office on the banks of the Daugava. Why?
The bank, under the leadership of Chairman of the Board Lauris Mencis, explains its actions as follows:
“Celebrating European Diversity Month in May and raising the Progress flag at the central Swedbank building has already become an annual tradition for the Swedbank team, demonstrating support for diversity and an inclusive environment both within the bank and in society.”
Swedbank added: “We are proud to be one of the first companies in Latvia to openly express our support for the Pride movement.”
Under this post by the bank on Facebook, more than 500 comments quickly appeared. Most commentators do not share the bank's enthusiasm:
David Burmistrov: – Swedbank Latvia, if you truly supported diversity, you would also support representatives of different religions, social classes, races, professions, and interests. But for some reason, when you talk about diversity, you only mention LGBT representatives. Isn’t this hypocrisy and discrimination against other groups in society that do not support LGBT?
Ilona CC: – We are removing the Russian language, demonstratively showing our attitude towards Russian-speaking people who have been clients of the bank for years, yet publicly supporting gays becomes a priority? The priorities are obvious.
Inga Smilga-Vigrante: – It’s time to change banks.
Anna Solovyova: – I am also ashamed to be your client. I will change banks at the first opportunity.
Renars Jakobsons: – Swedbank Latvia has found something to be proud of — reason, come home.
Rudolfs Klava: – Is there really no backbone at all? What will happen next? Will we go to work with bare bottoms in solidarity? With blue-green hair and nose piercings? Floating gender, changing race, pronouns (he – she – it) change every second — and such a person will serve ordinary people? And just try not to use their fantasy pronouns — you’ll immediately become bad and a war will start because someone was offended. Amazing evolution. Where did the person go wrong? What even happened? Ingrida Cibulskā: – Horrible! How can you hang a flag of perversions next to state flags!
Juris Kalniņš: – You can be proud that you will now have one less client.
Arnis Jodzevičs: – Latvians, it’s time to leave this bank.
Carsales Baltic: – Swedbank supports diversity but removes the Russian language from communication… What hypocrisy…
It was hard to find solitary comments in support of the bank. Here, for example:
Armands Švampans: – It’s a shame that such comments are under this post, but thank you for supporting the LGBT movement.
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