On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, the members of the National Equality and Diversity Forum (NEDF) cordially invite to the seminar-discussion “Human Rights in Lithuania. NGOs’ Perspective”, which will take place on December 9th, 2015 at 2:00-4:30 PM at the premises of the Embassy of Finland (K. Kalinausko str. 24, Vilnius). In

Syphilis: what is it and why should gay men be concerned?

Health authorities in the US, Australia and UK have all highlighted an alarming increase in rates of syphilis among gay and bisexual men Although HIV receives much attention in the press – particularly following last week’s announcement by the actor Charlie Sheen that he is HIV positive – it is not the only sexually-transmitted infection

Vietnam passes landmark law recognizing transgender people

Ban on gender reassignment surgery has also been lifted Vietnam has passed a landmark law legally recognizing transgender people and lifting a ban on gender reassignment surgery. More than 80% of lawmakers Tuesday (24 November) voted in favor of the law change, which will come into effect on 17 January 2017. Under the new legislation, those

British Columbia prisons implement reforms for transgender prisoners

The Canadian province of British Columbia will no longer confine transgender people in the prisons that are meant for the gender they were assigned at birth Prisons in British Columbia will no longer jail transgender women in men’s prisons and transgender men in women’s prisons after its Department of Corrections changed its policies. Previously only

Portuguese lawmakers approve same-sex adoption bill

Portuguese lawmakers on Nov. 20 approved a bill that would extend adoption rights to same-sex couples. All but one member of the Socialist Party and other center-left parties that have a majority in the Portuguese Parliament voted for the measure. Nineteen members of the center-right Social Democratic Party also backed the bill. Advocates began their

Transgender Day of Remembrance

“Being Transgender is not a choice. Choosing to hurt someone is.” About the Transgender Day of Remembrance The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice,

LGL‘s social videos feature experiences of Lithuanian transgender persons

In November, 2015 the national LGBT* rights organization LGL filmed 2 social videos for its social campaign „#TRANS_LT“, aiming to increase visibility of transgender persons in Lithuania. The social videos, filmed by a creative team of LGL and local movie director Romas Zabarauskas, feature the members of the local trans* community sharing the challenges they

Hong Kong authorities are refusing to count gay couples in its 2016 census

Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department claims it doesn’t want to embarrass gays and lesbians by asking them about their relationship status in front of their families Officials in Hong Kong have decided to leave same-sex couples off next year’s census – arguing that some will be too afraid to disclose their relationship in front

New EU rules for better protection for victims of crime in the EU

New EU rules on victims’ rights that apply as of today (16 November) will bring major changes in the way victims of crime are treated in Europe. The Victims’ Rights Directive lays down a set of binding rights for victims of crime, and clear obligations for EU Member States to ensure these rights in practice

Ireland will end exemptions to LGBT equality law for schools and hospitals

Fresh off of the country’s first same-sex weddings, Ireland’s government is pushing forward with more changes – amending LGBT equality law exemptions for schools and hospitals. The Republic of Ireland approved same-sex marriage in a landslide referendum earlier this year, by 62.07% to 37.93% – and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, yesterday the green light has been