Is Lithuanian Migration Policy Sensitive Enough for the LGBTI Asylum Seekers?

Recently one Iraqi man reported to LGL that he will be able to reunite with his same-sex partner as both men were granted an asylum by the Lithuanian authorities in late December, 2021. Only a few asylum applications resulted in positive decisions since in the increased migration flow from August, which leaves the majority of

LGL Advocacy Efforts Within the Context of the Third Cycle Universal Periodic Review

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique human right mechanism under which the human rights situation of all United Nantions Member States is reviewed every 5 years. 42 States are reviewed each year. Consideration for Lithuania is scheduled on Wednesday, 26 January 2022. LGL contributed to the alternative report joint submission of the Human Rights Organizations Coalition

Will 2022 Mark a Turning Point for all LGBTIQ Families in the EU ?

Lithuania, along with Latvia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia to this day remaining the only European Union Member States without same-sex family rights recognition. Although these countries face multitude of social and political issues which often effectively demotes LGBTIQ equality  to political periphery, LGBTIQ communities and their supporters are becoming more vocal than ever before.

Amicus Brief Submitted in Relu-Adrian Coman and Others v. Romania

While Lithuania still remains among 6 European Union states that do not provide a gender-neutral Partnership alternative, National LGBTI Rights Organization LGL together with the international partners from the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria continue to consolidate their efforts towards establishing a higher standard of protection within the regulation of the European Convention on Human

On September 29, 2021 the National LGBT rights organization LGL organized an international conference “Family Protection and Diversity in a Democratic Society: Problems and Perspectives” at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania. The conference addressed the legal and social issues of family diversity and the recognition of LGBTIQ family rights, as well

Family Diversity and Protection in a Democratic Society: Issues and Possibilities

R.I.S.E. project consortium seeks to discuss social and legal aspects of LGBTIQ+ family rights recognition in Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Poland as well as a wider international rainbow family context while reflecting on the negative psychological and economic effects of discrimination.  Register for online participation HERE Time:  September 29 10 AM – 3 PM EEST

Vladimir Simonko. Against the Current

Vladimir Simonko (57), the Executive Director of the National LGBT rights organization LGL, chose a difficult life 30 years ago. Back then, when the Soviet Criminal Code was in force, which provided for maximum three years imprisonment for sexual intercourse between two men, he decided to openly admit that he was gay, made his story

In June, Hungary became the second country in the EU to pass the anti-gay proaganda law, as Viktor Orbán’s ruling party intensified its campaign against LGBTI rights. Since 2009 Lithuanian LGBTI community has been struggling with the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information containing a similar anti-LGBTI provision. According to its article

Gender-neutral partnership bill was registered in the Lithuanian Parliament on May 21, 2021, returning the question of same-sex union recognition to political agenda after staggering four-years break. While it does recognize same-sex unions, the bill does not reference the concept of family, nor it addresses regulations related to child adoption. It does not make a reference to

LGL Commemorates IDAHOT Together with its Allies at the Embassy of Sweden

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) was commemorated at an event organized by the National LGBT rights organization LGL together with the Embassy of Sweden in the courtyard of the Embassy in Vilnius on 17 May, 2021. The event was attended by LGBT rights activists, LGBT-friendly diplomatic missions, socially responsible business, media

Rainbow Map 2021: Any Real Progress in Lithuania is Still Waiting to Happen

Newest ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Europe Map and Index, ranking the legal and policy situation of LGBTI people in 49 European countries found that the past 12 months have marked an unprecedented year in the Map’s 12-year history, with virtually no positive legislative change for LGBTI people in Europe. Lithuania contributes to this negative general trend,

R.I.S.E. Positive Role Model Campaign Encourages LGBTI Family Acceptance

R.I.S.E. invites all members of society to get to know and connect with LGBTI families and their daily struggles arising from the lack of both legal recognition and social acceptance. Personal stories allow to see the issues of family rights recognition through the eyes of LGBTI people and their loved ones while calling for development of the