The openly homophobic politician Petras Gražulis was appointed to the Commission for Ethics and Procedure by the Lithuanian Parliament on Tuesday, 27 November 2011. Despite the attempts by the opposition to prevent this motion, 53 MPs voted in favor of the candidacy by Mr. Gražulis. 15min.lt reports that one of the smaller partners in the
Author Archive: Tomas
The European Commission has published its latest survey on discrimination in the EU, including on grounds of sexual orientation and for the first time gender identity. No significant change has been recorded in the last three years. 46% of respondents across the EU think gay, lesbian and bisexual people face discrimination, while 46% think they
The Lithuanian decision to apply the rules of enhanced cooperation should be confirmed by the European Commission on Wednesday. According to the Deputy Minister of Justice, this step has been taken by the Lithuanian authorities only after the introduction of public policy exception, which foresees that the procedure will not be applicable in the situations,
According to the system introduced in 2005, the vehicle registration plates in Lithuania contain three capital letters, which are selected alphabetically in accordance with the sequence of registration. 15min.lt reports that the current attempt to introduce vehicle registration plates containing the letter combination GEJ (closely resembling the Lithuanian equivalent for the word “gay”) has caused
An essay on the situation of LGBT rights in Lithuania by Kjetil Duvold & Inga Aalia*, published in the Baltic Worlds, analyzes the recent political and cultural developments in the Lithuanian society through the lens of public discourse on sexual orientation issues. The comprehensive analysis of legal and policy consideration regarding LGBT community is accompanied
Vladimir Simonko, the chair of the Lithuanian gay League (LGL), has visited the United States for the first time after the restoration of independence of Lithuania. 15min.lt reports that he is still longing for the Texas Cowboys and has left a piece of his heart in San Francisco. The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender)
This week the European Parliament released a study on a potential EU roadmap for LGBT equality. Such an EU action plan would draw together new laws and policies to strengthen equality and non-discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in the EU. The research was requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties,
During a 15min.lt pre-electoral debate with the Minister of Justice, representative of the Liberal Movement Remigijus Simasius, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevicius stated that he is categorically against same-sex marriages. “My personal position is even stronger. I am a believer and I am not afraid to tell that. Many people
In its ambitious election programme, the conservative Lithuanian party Homeland Union promises to further strengthen the family institute. Irena Degutiene, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Homeland Union and Speaker of Parliament, claimed that she will actively oppose the legalization of homosexual partnerships, which would purportedly help civilization to destroy itself and humanity. “That
The Chair of Lithuanian Gay League will participate in a tour of the United States on a US State Department-sponsored program entitled “Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community”. The program is part of the State Department’s ongoing efforts to promote human rights for LGBT people around the world. LGBT activists from