V. Simonko: “Discussion on same-sex partnership will no longer be taboo”

Vladimir Simonko, the leader of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, welcomed the proposed law to allow same-sex partnerships, saying the step would trigger discussions about the rights of homosexual persons living together.

“It is not very easy for laws to make way, however, the proposal of the law will lead to discussions in the positive sense, and I believe that the issue will no longer be a taboo,” Mr. Simonko told to Lithuanian news agency BNS on the 25th of March, 2015.

He noted that Lithuania is among the few European nations “that has not even opened discussions into the matter.”

In LGL executive director’s words, homosexual couples living together, whose status is not legally recognized, are barred from a number of rights enjoyed by spouses – anything from inheriting to receipt of information in hospital in case of an accident.

Nine Lithuanian MPs representing the Social Democratic and Liberal party groups have registered a bill to allow partnership of couples of the same and different genders on the 25th of March, 2015.

Under the bill, same-sex partnership would be registered at a notary’s office between two adults who would also have to conclude a contract, stipulating how they would divide the property they purchase together, in case their relationship ends.

If approved, the law would step into force on the 1st of January, 2017.