A group of MPs in the Lithuanian Parliament seeks to preempt the possibility for same-sex adoption or foster care by law. 18 MPs have registered an Amendment to the Law on the Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of the Child, which stipulates that “every child has the natural right to a father and a mother, emanating from sex
News / LGBT Guide LT / From Lithuania
Well-known and openly gay Lithuanian singer Ruslanas Kirilkinas became a victim of a homophobic attack. Kirilkinas was performing at a concert held in the Lithuanian town of Aukštadvaris on the 23rd of February when eggs were thrown at him from the audience, resulting in lip, chin and ear wounds. The singer was taken to hospital by
According to the system introduced in 2005, the vehicle registration plates in Lithuania contain three capital letters, which are selected alphabetically in accordance with the sequence of registration. 15min.lt reports that the current attempt to introduce vehicle registration plates containing the letter combination GEJ (closely resembling the Lithuanian equivalent for the word “gay”) has caused
An essay on the situation of LGBT rights in Lithuania by Kjetil Duvold & Inga Aalia*, published in the Baltic Worlds, analyzes the recent political and cultural developments in the Lithuanian society through the lens of public discourse on sexual orientation issues. The comprehensive analysis of legal and policy consideration regarding LGBT community is accompanied
The Lithuanian Ministry of Justice has proposed that persons who have undergone gender reassignment surgery be issued with new identity documents upon presentation of a medical statement without the need to apply for such documents through the court. At the same time it proposes that gender reassignment surgery shall not be regulated by a separate
Sigitas Tamkevičius, Lithuanian archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, is praying for people not to go to Lady Gaga’s upcoming concert in Vilnius. Lady Gaga, a strong supporter of LGBT rights, is scheduled to perform in Vilnius in late August. Tamkevičius, who currently serves as Archbishop of Kaunas, was quoted in delfi.lt: “We’ll pray for
Five percent of Lithuanians admit to being intolerant, but only less than one third would be able to work and communicate with other foreigners, homosexuals or disabled, shows the poll by Center of Public Opinion and Market Research Vilmorus. Specialists explain this phenomenon as “hidden intolerance” – when a person thinks and claims to be
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas told the national parliament Monday that the country’s reputation for homophobia was justified. “This is true: Lithuania is one of the most homophobic countries in the EU. This has to be viewed as a fact,” Vaitiekunas said in response to a parliamentary question from Member of Parliament Ausrine Marija Pavilioniene.
The EU “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” truck is travelling around Europe to promote diversity, tolerance and raising awareness about EU legislation prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of gender, disability, age, religion/belief, race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. While stopping in various destinations across Europe, it engages locals to learn more about EU anti-discrimination laws, co-operate with local
The Anti-Discrimination Truck touring Europe is not desirable in Kaunas, because the action will be joined by Lithuanian gays. Kaunas municipal authorities received an application to organise in the location near Akropolis shopping centre and St Cross (Carmelites) Church an event promoting tolerance. Upon the initiative of the European Commission, the truck decorated in the
A Delegation of the European Commission to Lithuania has asked for permission from the Vilnius City Municipality to organise an event that was banned last year—the appearance of the ‘tolerance truck’ at the Town Hall Square. Lithuanian gays are also getting ready for participation in the campaign. Contrary to last year, however, there is no
A homophobic country where gays and lesbians often have to hide their sexual orientation, cannot kiss in public or otherwise demonstrate their romantic feelings; and due to intolerance in society, they are often forced to emigrate—this is how Lithuania is described by leaders of the oldest gay and lesbian organization COC Netherlands. Currently, the organization