As a way to analyze the phenomenon of domestic and dating violence against lesbians, bisexual and transwomen, I decided to take a broader approach to the subject by taking also into consideration opinions and perception by LBT* women from the local community who do not identify as victims of this kind of violence. The reason

We call upon professional and amateur photographers who are willing to investigate the topic of domestic violence between lesbians and dating violence against transwomen and to record the changes and evolution of various cultures in dealing with this topic in a genuine, vivid and profound way with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding and exchanges

On the 13th of July, 2015 the national LGBT* rights organization LGL received an official notification from the European Commission Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology, stating that the Commission began investigation regarding LGL’s appeal under the European Union (EU) directive infringement process. A formal complaint, prepared in collaboration with the European LGBTI

Human rights youth exchange: discovering the contrasting reality of Georgia

From the 4th to the 12th of July, 2015 the representatives of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL participated to the international project “Open Your Mind 2” under the ERASMUS+ programme, youth exchange for young people on human rights and equal opportunities, organized in Rustavi, Georgia. The project “Open Your Mind 2”, gave the opportunity

Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania Juras Požėla appealed to the Chief Official of the Ethics Commission (COEC) to evaluate the remarks on LGBT* persons delivered by the representative of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in Marijampolė county Paulius Uleckas. Member of the Liberal Movement party Mr. Uleckas expressed his

US Gay Wedding Fundraises for LGL

On Saturday the 6th of June, 2015 Lithuanian-American citizen Auris Jarašūnas married his partner Robbie Sutton in the city of Los Angeles. “I met my partner seven years ago. Quickly we became inseparable, and we were dreaming that maybe one day we will be a fully recognized family. Like a fairy tale, the laws of

The Baltic Times: Are the Baltics proud of EuroPride?

This June, Riga hosted Europride 2015. Ten years on from when the first Latvian gay pride took place in Riga, several hundred thousand people will come from across the continent to show their support for gay rights. Proof that the Baltic States have become a much more hospitable place for the LGBT community? Perhaps not.

Lithuania grapples with homophobia

Lithuania has recently started discussing its attitudes towards homosexuality, in what remains a novelty for a country ranked among the most homophobic in the EU. While data shows that attitudes remain largely the same, many agree that the debates are proof that a change may be coming, albeit slowly. The discussions were largely sparked by

Lithuanian Parliament Appoints Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson

The Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania has appointed Deputy Culture Minister Agneta Lobačevskytė as the head of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania. The candidate was proposed by the Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament Loreta Graužinienė. During a secret vote on the 18th of June, 2015 Mrs. Lobačevskytė was supported

The U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons visited LGL

On the 18th of June, 2015 in cooperation with the US Embassy in Vilnius, the LGBT* Centre of the national LGBT* organization LGL was visited by Randy Berry, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons. The newly appointed Special Envoy got informed about the situation in Lithuania for LGBT* people, on

Opinion: “Do not offend Lithuanians with your happiness”

Rescuing the drowning is the responsibility of the drowning themselves; there is no place for gays, lesbians, transsexuals and other similar people in Lithuanian society. Such were the dominant views expressed after the District Court of Klaipėda reached an official decision regarding the photo of two boys kissing that was posted on Facebook. However, it

Malta launches inspiring education policy for trans and intersex children

An education policy launched by the Maltese government on the 16th of June, 2015 is another ground-breaking move, inspired by the landmark Gender Expression, Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics Act passed earlier this year. The policy is the first of its kind in Europe; no other European country has a comprehensive education policy focusing on the needs