Rokas Žilinskas


Rokas Žilinskas was a Lithuanian journalist and politician. He was elected to the Seimas in 2008 and was a member of the Lithuanian Parliament until his death. He was the first openly gay member of the parliament.

Biography

Žilinskas was born in a swimming coach and kindergarten teacher's family. While at school Rokas became interested in geography, later politology and politics. He studied journalism at the University of Vilnius. Before being elected to the Lithuanian Parliament Žilinskas was a well-known Lithuanian news announcer having worked at LNK television from 1998 to 2008.
In 2009, one year after the Parliament elections, Žilinskas openly declared that he was gay, hence becoming the first elected LGBT politician in Lithuania. He, however, expressed disapproval for the equal rights for gays, such as gay marriages and gay adoption, but unexpectedly decided to participate in the first homosexual parade in Vilnius, despite being opposed to it for a long time.
Žilinskas damaged his public image after he cursed at policemen when he was under the influence of alcohol. In 2011, Žilinskas was expelled from the Christian Party, after he was noticed allegedly being drunk in Seimas.
In 2012, he became a member of the conservative Homeland Union and was re-elected to the Seimas that year as well as in 2016.

Death

Žilinskas was hospitalized in May 2017. On 6 June 2017, Žilinskas died of pneumonia from complications of HIV at Vilnius University's Santaros Clinic at age 44. He was buried in Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius.

In popular culture