On Friday 13th of December 2019 the international conference “Combating homophobic, biphobic and transphobic stereotypes and prejudice by and through mainstream media” took place in the conference room of the Jurnalists’ Union of Daily Newspapers – ESIEA (Athens, Greece). The conference was organized by Colour Youth – Athens LGBTQ Youth Community, in co-operation with ΚΜΟP

The situation of LGBT+ people in Estonia: a Warning Sign to Lithuania

LGBT persons and events in neighbouring countries of Lithuania, including Estonia, are under attack by the ruling parties. Representatives of the LGBT Association in Estonia say the community is intimidated, and Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the National LGBT rights organization LGL, warns that what is happening in Estonia is a serious signal to us

Gabriella Calleja, head of the SOGIGESC unit of the Human Rights and Integration Directorate in the Maltese Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, who took part at the National Forum on Human Rights on December 10 at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, is certain that enforcing equality in the country positively affects all

In November 1989, Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the National LGBT rights organization LGL, visited East Berlin for the third time at the invitation of his friends. On November 9, 1989, he accidentally became a witness of the fall of the Berlin Wall and visited West Berlin for the first time. As the thirtieth anniversary

Introduction:  This Call for Abstracts is part of the project safe.to.be by Speak Out, an initiative by partner organizations from nine different European countries, led by Belgium’s çavaria. All organizations are connected to the LGBTI communities in their respective countries, and have experience on the topic of hate crime and hate speech. ‘Safe.to.be – Speak

No Challenge in UN Third Committee on the Renewal of Independent Expert on SOGI

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution presenting the Annual Report of the Human Rights Council today without challenge to the extension of the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IE SOGI). In 2016 when the mandate

Apparently opinions were bound to polarize after LRT, the national broadcaster of Lithuania, published a social documentary portraying a parenthood journey of a married gay men couple from United Kingdom at its internet portal lrt.lt Although plenty of people praised such a rare instance of the diversity representation, several, likely right-wing affiliated activists appealed to

LGL Gave an Award to Representative of Barclays

On 21st October, 2019 representatives of the National LGBT rights organization LGL gave an award to Mariano Andrade Gonzalez, former Head of Barclays and current Lithuania Country Head of Moody’s. Mariano Andrade Gonzalez has been honored by the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL for outstanding leadership in promoting business sector support for LGBT human rights.

Vladimir Simonko: Thank you for your Trust

Dear members of ILGA-Europe, I would like to kindly thank you for your trust in me and opportunity to work together with ILGA-Europe Board and staff in shaping the future of our organization. I hope that my work in ILGA-Europe Board gave me a chance to be a link between East and West, when genuine

LGL met with Representatives of the Lithuanian Police

On 17th October, 2019 representatives of the National LGBT rights organization LGL had a meeting with representatives of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters. During the meeting, issues of hate crime and hate speech against members of the LGBT community and opportunities for cooperation were discussed. LGL presented to the Lithuanian police representatives the results of