In the framework of the Project “Promotion of Democracy – independent information dissemination from the Human Rights perspective“ LGL together with activists from partner countries Belarus and Ukraine, conducted a desk research on the topics of aggressive information in Lithuanian, Belarusian and Ukranian media, the legal framework of each Country and the relation between Human Rights activists

LGL Annual Report for 2017 Now Available Online

The National LGBT* rights organization LGL is proud to announce the annual report for 2017. Transparency and independence from any political or financial interests are one of the most important goals for our organization in order to achieve effective inclusion and social integration of local LGBT* community. LGL’s annual report for 2017 comprehensively presents organization’s

LGL Submits Shadow Report to Universal Periodic Review

On 12th October, 2018  the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL, in cooperation with international human rights organization “ILGA-Europe” , Transgender Europe (TGEU) and “OII Europe” , made a joint Universal Periodic Review submission to the UN Human Rights Council on the LGBT* human rights situation in the country. The shadow report, submitted by LGL and

On September 25th, 2018 the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania began the procedure aimed at determining whether Constitutional provisions regarding freedom of movement of family members apply for same-sex couples. The case dates back to 2015 when a Belarussian citizen married to a Lithuanian man and applied to the immigration authorities for permission

LGL’s Intern Nele: LGBT Advocacy in A Challenging Environment

Coming to Lithuania, I had only a vague idea of the country, the LGBT rights situation, or the work I was going to be doing. I knew Lithuania was considered one of the most homo-, bi- and transphobic countries in the European Union: that it was one of very few European countries without any legal

LGL’s Intern Eros: Learning from the Context of LGL

It is always important to consider things in context. This means both on the local scale, as well as globally. Working for non-profits and NGOs it can be easy to get caught up in a small silo or on a highly broad conceptual global scale, and while it’s important that work is done in both

In September, 2018 Remigijus Šimašius, the Mayor of Vilnius, recorded a video inviting the residents and quests of Vilnius to participate at the Baltic Pride March for Equality, which will take place in Vilnius on 8 June, 2019. ”Dear friends from all over the world, I am very proud to stand here in support for

Yet Another Allegedly Homophobic Arson Attack in Lithuania

On August 10th, 2018 following a series of arson attacks directed at the premises of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL and the apartment of its co-founder and Executive Director Vladimir Simonko, a wave of solidarity amongst the LGBT community in Lithuania emerged. As such, Romas Zabarauskas, an openly gay film director in Lithuania, had

LGL Presents Educational Material for LGBT Activists in Hostile Environments

In August, 2018 the National LGBT rights organization published educational material for LGBT activists operating in hostile environments. “Restricted Expression: Guidelines and Recommendations for LGBT activists in hostile environments” looks at legislations, both enacted and proposed, aimed at limiting the freedom of speech and expression in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. The publication also provides guidelines

LGL Office Entrance Destroyed by Homophobic Hate Crime Attack

On the 10th August, 2018 at 04.00 A. M. the entrance to the office of the National LGBT rights organization LGL was badly damaged by a vicious homophobic attack. The exterior door and door blinds were set on fire using unknown flammable substance. The LGL office is located in the central area of Vilnius. The

Lithuanian LGBT community joins Baltic Pride 2018 in Riga

On 9th June, 2018 the representatives of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL joined thousands of Baltic Pride 2018 marchers and showed Lithuania’s support to the Latvian LGBT* community. The event provided with an opportunity to bring focus to LGBT human rights situation in the region. LGL representatives arrived in Riga with a special LGL

First report from UN SOGI Expert Madrigal-Borloz published

The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, published his first report on 11 June 2018.  The report highlights that LGBTI people are particularly vulnerable to violence, ill-treatment and discrimination, many facing it every day, at the hands of state authorities, individuals, criminal gangs,