Rokas Žilinskas

Who is Rokas Žilinskas?

Rokas Žilinskas is a Lithuanian journalist and politician. He was elected to Seimas in 2008 and has been a member of Lithuanian Parliament since then.

Žilinskas was born in a swimming coach and kindergarten teacher's family. While at school Rokas became interested in geography, later politology and politics. Before being elected to the Lithuanian Parliament Žilinskas was a well-known Lithuanian news announcer.

In 2009, one year after the Parliament elections, Žilinskas openly declared that he is 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 against for a long time.

Žilinskas tore his public image after he cursed the policemen while being drunk. In 2011 after Žilinskas was noticed allegedly being drunk in Seimas, he was expelled from the Christian Party.

In 2012 he became a member of a conservative Homeland Union and was re-elected to Seimas.