On the 15th of May, 2015 the official reception for Rainbow Days 2015, which was organized by the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, took place at the Finnish Embassy. Numerous human rights activists, ambassadors, and figures from the world of culture and entertainment showed their support by attending the event. Over one hundred guests celebrated

Eurovision Stars Promote Message of Tolerance

On the 17th of May, 2015, celebrated throughout the world as the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the official opening ceremony for Eurovision took place at Vienna’s City Hall Square. Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, was among the few lucky fans invited to the red carpet event,

Cheer Queer, Opening Event of Rainbow Days 2015

On Thursday the 14th of May, the colorful and exquisitely fashionable event Cheer Queer organized by the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL took place at One-Two Bar, in Vilnius. The event successfully marked the beginning of the Rainbow Days 2015 festivities, a week-long series of events to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

At 1:00 pm on the 15th of May, 2015, the national LGBT* rights organization LGL’s Board Chair, Elena Dapkūnaitė, and Executive Director, Vladimir Simonko, presented the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė with the “Change It!” petition signatures. LGL leadership presented a representative of the presidential office with the signatures collected in support

Rainbow Days 2015 Press Conference at Parliament

From 10 to 10:30am on the 15th of May, 2015, a press conference for Rainbow Days 2015, which was organized by the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, was held at the conference hall of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Vice-Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania Algirdas Šešelgis, Senior

The Lithuanian Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs has decided that the Partnership Act does not violate the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. However, while members of Parliament debate the legality of this act, those who are not yet able to legally formalize their relationships continue to experience financial losses and feel degraded by society.

LGL’s Strategic Plan 2015-2018

Following a meeting occurred in October, 2014 the National LGBT* Organization LGL launches online its Strategic Plan of the years 2015-2018. The Strategic Plan of the years 2015-2018 attempts to outline LGL‘s vision, mission, its key values and objectives. At the core of LGL strategy for the following years there is a strong commitment for

In a gala ceremony on the 28th of April, 2015, the 2014 National Equality and Diversity Awards were handed out to individuals, organizations and initiatives that contributed most to promoting equality and diversity in Lithuania. The annual event was organized by the National Equality and Diversity Forum, including the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, alongside

LGL Co-organized the 2014 National Equality and Diversity Awards

On the 28th of April, 2015, the member organizations of the National Equality and Diversity Forum, including the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, alongside the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania organized the 2014 National Equality and Diversity Awards in Vilnius, which honoured Lithuania’s most notable individuals, organizations and initiatives in the field

Invisible Shadow of Domestic and Dating Violence in the Lesbian Community

Data provided by the EuroBarometer Report by the European Commission showed that five years ago almost 43% of women in Lithuania were victims of domestic and dating violence. Despite the lack of research on the topic, the number of women victims of domestic and dating violence is expected to have increased in recent time. However,

Since the major political parties in Lithuania – Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), The Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats and the The Labour Party – are in the process of electing their new leaders, the LGBT* community in Lithuania demands a change in the management bodies of the latter parties. The representatives of the

LGL’s Representative Spoke at the Council of Europe

On the 21st of April, 2015 trans activists from Ukraine, Turkey, Ireland, France and Lithuania spoke at the Council of Europe on their battle for human rights. The audience heard their testimonies of what it is to live as a trans person in Europe. Tomas Raskevicius, the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, Lithuania: “Trans people’s