Today Vladimir Simonko and Monika Antanaitytė from LGL together with other LGBTIQ civil society activists met with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė to discuss partnership regulation issues. This is the first such meeting at the Government level in Lithuanian history. We are grateful for the Prime Minister’s clear position on LGBTIQ human rights issues. During the
News / LGBT Guide LT / From Lithuania
Following the Constitutional Court’s landmark April 2025 ruling on partnership rights, the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL has been closely monitoring political developments regarding implementation of this decision. The formation of Lithuania’s new government under Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, following former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas’s resignation in July amid corruption allegations, presents both opportunities and
On September 16, 2025, Lithuania’s Constitutional Court issued a decision that represents a significant setback for transgender rights in Lithuania. While we understand the Court’s stated jurisdictional concerns, we believe this decision perpetuates a grave injustice and fails to fulfill the Court’s constitutional duty to protect fundamental human rights. The Context: A System Designed to
We are thrilled to announce a landmark achievement in Lithuanian human rights history. For the first time ever, on August 8, 2025, a Lithuanian court has officially recognized the family relationship between two women in the form of a partnership and ordered the state to register their relationship as a civil status act. The Vilnius
LGL Representatives Present Partnership Regulation Priorities On July 18th, 2025, LGL (Lithuanian Gay League) representatives Executive Director Vladimir Simonko and lawyer Monika Antanaityte met with Ministry of Justice officials, academia and NGOs to discuss and present their priorities and expectations for the upcoming Partnership Institute legislation. Following the Constitutional Court’s April ruling that declared the
On April 10, 2025, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania issued a significant ruling declaring that the provision of the Assisted Reproduction Law limiting assisted reproduction services only to persons who have entered into marriage or registered partnership contradicts the Constitution. The Court stated in its ruling: “Article 5, paragraph 3 of the
Lithuania’s Constitutional Court delivered a landmark decision on April 17, 2025, declaring that legal regulations related to civil partnerships violate the country’s constitution. The Court ruled that Civil Code Article 3.229, which restricts partnerships only to male-female couples, discriminates against same-sex couples and contradicts constitutional principles of human dignity, privacy protection, equality, and family protection.
2024 marked important changes in the development of LGBTI+ rights in Lithuania: the LGBTI+ rights festival “LT Pride” attracted over 15,000 participants, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania recognized that the provision in force since 2009 prohibiting the dissemination of information about same-sex families to minors is anticonstitutional, and an unprecedented project assessing
The National Human Rights Forum discussion “Is There Space for LGBTIQ+ People in Municipalities?” which took place on December 10, 2024, highlighted systematic problems: growing community distrust in government institutions, strengthening of anti-democratic forces particularly in regions, and limited inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people in social life. Dr. Vytautas Valentinavičius from Kaunas University of Technology presented
In a landmark decision on December 18, 2024, the Constitutional Court of Lithuania has ruled that Article 4(2)(16) of the Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information violates multiple sections of the Constitution, specifically Articles 25(1,2,3) and 38(1,2), as well as the constitutional principle of the rule of law.
Recent events in Lithuania have highlighted concerning trends in hate crime prevention and prosecution. A prominent example is the repeated burning of the LGBT+ flag near the Parliament building by self-proclaimed activist Raimondas Šimaitis. The mere €15 fine imposed for this action raises serious questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement measures in combating hate
The Lithuanian government has released its proposed legislative agenda for the fall 2024 parliamentary session, which marks the final session of the current Seimas before the national elections in October. The agenda outlines over 50 bills and resolutions to be considered, but notably absent are any proposals specifically addressing LGBTI rights or issues. This last