In November 1989, Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the National LGBT rights organization LGL, visited East Berlin for the third time at the invitation of his friends. On November 9, 1989, he accidentally became a witness of the fall of the Berlin Wall and visited West Berlin for the first time. As the thirtieth anniversary
News / Human Rights
Lithuania must issue a residence permit to a foreigner, who entered into the same-sex marriage with a citizen of Lithuania in another state, in this way partially recognizing marriages concluded by homosexual individuals abroad. This judgement was pronounced by the Constitutional Court of the Lithuanian Republic (Constitutional Court) on the January 11, 2019 Nevertheless, what
On 23 October 2019, the Active Citizens Fund (ACF) in Lithuania financed by the EEA Grants was launched. In 2019-2024 the ACF will allocate EUR 9 million to the strengthening of civil society and empowering vulnerable groups. Lithuanian non-governmental organisations will have an opportunity to submit applications and receive funding for their activities in order
Apparently opinions were bound to polarize after LRT, the national broadcaster of Lithuania, published a social documentary portraying a parenthood journey of a married gay men couple from United Kingdom at its internet portal lrt.lt Although plenty of people praised such a rare instance of the diversity representation, several, likely right-wing affiliated activists appealed to
On 21st October, 2019 representatives of the National LGBT rights organization LGL gave an award to Mariano Andrade Gonzalez, former Head of Barclays and current Lithuania Country Head of Moody’s. Mariano Andrade Gonzalez has been honored by the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL for outstanding leadership in promoting business sector support for LGBT human rights.
On 17th October, 2019 representatives of the National LGBT rights organization LGL had a meeting with representatives of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters. During the meeting, issues of hate crime and hate speech against members of the LGBT community and opportunities for cooperation were discussed. LGL presented to the Lithuanian police representatives the results of
Lithuanian and Polish sexual minority organizations on Thursday slammed Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis’ initiative to nominate Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s conservative Law and Justice party, for a top Lithuanian state award, the Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great. LGBT organizations say Kaczynski, facing a parliament vote in Poland, is
On 16th October, 2019 Eglė Kuktoraitė, Communication Manager at the National LGBT rights organization LGL, took part at a panel debate “Give us a seat at the table! Youth movements & their impact on future Baltic Sea Cooperation”, organized by the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Forum Northern European Politics in Berlin.
The executive director of the National LGBT rights organisation LGL Vladimir Simonko can rightfully be called a chronicler of the LGBT rights movement in Lithuania. In 1995 being the first one in Lithuania to openly speak about his sexual orientation together with his partner Eduardas, today he opened the carefully guarded archive of Lithuanian publications
Office of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, led by PM Saulius Skvernelis, has prepared a draft resolution proposing Lithuanian President to honour leader of the Polish ruling party “Law and Justice” Jaroslaw Kaczynski, infamous for is anti-LGBT rhetoric, with one of the highest state decorations of the Lithuanian Republic. Last word regarding the
On 3rd October, 2019, the Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, H.E. Mr. Karsten Klepsvik was awarded with a special symbol of gratitude for supporting the monumental Baltic Pride 2019 festival at the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL. During the warm meeting, representatives of the Embassy and LGL recalled the most impressive moments of the
This September Lithuanian Parliament began to review a new legislative proposal on Lithuanian Law of Equal Treatment amendments, initiated by the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson. While the draft law introduces quite a few well-needed changes, such as including the definition of associative discrimination, it does, however, ignore the burning questions of transgender individuals,