The Lithuanian parliament has opened discussions of the amendment to the Criminal Code which spells out that criticism of homosexuality should not be viewed as discrimination. Initiated by a mixed group of parliamentarians, the amendment suggests that “Criticism or discussion of sexual behaviour, sexual practices, convictions and views, or attempts to persuade to change such
News / LGBT Guide LT / From Lithuania
On 5 September 2013 the Spokesperson of the Lithuanian Parliament Seimas presented the proposal for the agenda of the Parliament’s autumn session. According to the draft agenda, the Parliament will consider 4 homophobic and transphobic legislative initiatives, encompassing the total ban on gender reassignment, prohibition of same-sex adoption, introduction of administrative liability for the “denigration of constitutional moral values” and the amendment to
Sunday afternoon, several dozen young Lithuanian activists staged a rally outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius, protesting against LGBT rights violations in Russia. Sporting T-shirts saying “To Russia With Love” and badges bearing colourfully made-up portraits of Vladimir Putin, the protesters said the event was not just a sign of support to Russia’s LGBT community,
Lithuanian experts will examine whether the advertisement of the LGBT pride parade For Equality that the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) decided to restrict is in line with the Law on Protection of Minors against Detrimental Effects of Public Information. Deividas Velkas, adviser to the inspector of journalist ethics, said an expert group will
Members of the Lithuanian Evangelical Reformists Church have dismissed the decision of the German Evangelical Church to marry persons of the same sex as an offense undermining Christianity, Kauno Diena daily said. „We think it is an offense. The decision made by the Church is not Christian, we do not want to have anything to
Except to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), Harvey Milk is virtually unknown to Lithuanians. Due to British gay rights campaigner Clare Dimyon’s recent efforts to trace his roots, however, he may soon become a more important figure in Lithuania. Read more.
Lithuania’s Central Electoral Commission on Monday refused registration to a steering group for the collection of signatures in support of a referendum on restriction of the dissemination of information on homosexual individuals. The registration was supported by four members of the committee, five were against, two abstained. The 22-member steering group was proposed by Kaunas
Photos from “Baltic Pride 2013” events can be found on our Facebook account. There you can find photos from our exhibition “From Dusk till Dawn – 20 years of LGBT Freedom in Lithuania”, international human rights conference on “Towards a European Roadmap for LGBT equality”, march “For equallity” and reception at Dutch embassy. We are planning to release
Commenting on the LGBT pride parade that took place in Vilnius on Saturday, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius says the event was given too much prominence thanks to attempts by anti-LGBT opponents to draw attention to themselves. “We have stated our position in a clear manner – rallies should not be prohibited in a legal democracy,
According to Vilnius Mayor Artūras Zuokas, the LGBT pride march that took place in the Lithuanian capital on Saturday did not promote tolerance but, instead, triggered increased confrontation of the society. In his words, Vilnius does not need any more of such events. “Vilnius needs no more of these festivals. I believe that developments on
It’s my first time taking part in a parade promoting equality for of homo-, bi- and transsexuals, and I probably would not join events like these in my home country of Germany. Not being a fan of large crowds, the typical Christopher Street Day parades in Berlin and elsewhere aren’t my cup of tea. I
LGBT and human rights in Lithuania took a significant step forward in the Baltic nations, and in Lithuania, during the March for Equality on Gediminas Avenue in central Vilnius on 27 July 2013. Despite 28 being detained in minor incidents during the events, LGBT rights of millions were acknowledged by many as being basic human