The U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons visited LGL

On the 18th of June, 2015 in cooperation with the US Embassy in Vilnius, the LGBT* Centre of the national LGBT* organization LGL was visited by Randy Berry, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons. The newly appointed Special Envoy got informed about the situation in Lithuania for LGBT* people, on the activities carried out by LGL and expressed his support for the LGBT* community of the country.

During the meeting, board member of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL Aliona Polujanova made ​​a presentation about the situation of LGBT* people in our country and presented the main initiatives of the organization in the framework of the European Union. The U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons have expressed concern over the Lithuanian lawmakers’ legislative initiatives, which are often intended at limiting the rights of the LGBT* people, in particular the right of freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly and expression.

The U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons reported his wish to contribute to support LGBT* rights organizations also inside the international business sector, particularly by promoting and supporting their community events. In turn, representatives of LGL pointed out that in 2013, during the “Baltic Pride” festival, international companies operating in Lithuania did not in any way support the LGBT* community of the country.

During an official visit to Europe Randy Berry visited the Latvian capital Riga where, from the 15th to the 21st of June, was taking place the Europride 2015, a fundamental appointment in the agenda of the international LGBT* community. The U.S. Envoy’s for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons joined the EuroPride march together with more than 5,000 people attending the event, including representatives of LGL, LGBT* community members, MEPs, Latvian politicians, representatives of international organizations, residents of the city of Riga and visitors.