By treating different-sex and same-sex unmarried couples differently, Lithuania would violate the European Convention of Human Rights, Professor of Law Vytautas Mizaras from Vilnius University argued on the June 3rd, 2015. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania is intending to propose a partnership law that would apply only to different-sex couples. According

The Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania Juozas Bernatonis (Social Democratic Party) has proposed to register a bill that would introduce registered partnerships only for different-sex couples. According to the Minister of Justice, many unmarried couples today are living together in Lithuania; thus there is a pressing need to regulate this “widespread form

Ireland is already advertising itself as a same-sex wedding destination

Ireland’s tourist board is not wasting any time in promoting the country as a same-sex wedding destination. The Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly voted to introduce same-sex marriage in a referendum last week, with 62.1% voting in favour and 37.9% voting against. Although by passing the referendum the public has given approval to the concept of

Tony Abbott dismisses idea of marriage equality referendum

The Australian Prime Minister has dismissed the idea of his country holding a referendum on same-sex marriage after Ireland’s historic vote on 23 May. Tony Abbott acknowledged it was important to millions of Australians and said he was taking the matter seriously, but marriage equality would be dealt with by the Federal Parliament. ‘Referendums are

Poland rejects civil unions for the fourth time

On the 28th of May, 2015 Poland has rejected civil unions for the fourth time. The parliament voted to table the discussion of the proposed law which would allow same-sex couples to have similar rights to opposite-sex married couples. Less than a third of MPs, 146, voted for the discussion, with 215 voting against. 24

Commissioner Jourová committed to LGBTI action plan in 2015

In a debate with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on Tuesday, Justice commissioner Vera Jourová confirmed her commitment to create a roadmap or action plan on LGBTI rights. In response to oral questions by Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP and Helga Stevens MEP, Vice-President and Member of the LGBTI Intergroup,

European LGBT* Community Praises Lithuania’s Eurovision Performance

Lithuania’s performance at the Eurovision semifinals, which took place on the evening of May 28th, 2015, featured two same-sex kisses and has attracted a great deal of support from the international media and the LGBT* community. The LGBT* news service pinknews.co.uk reports that Eurovision fans worldwide are celebrating the performance of Vaidas Baumila and Monika

“Eurovision” Song Contest: Building Bridges between West and East

Building Bridges, the motto of the “Eurovision” Song Contest, is all about uniting the east and west. Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities from this year’s host country, Austria, and abroad used the opportunity of the world’s biggest LGBT-friendly music event to make the statement that Europe must improve the rights of its

German opposition calls on Merkel to follow Ireland on equal marriage

The German Green Party has called on Angela Merkel to follow Ireland in introducing same-sex marriage. The Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly voted to introduce same-sex marriage in a referendum last week, with 62.1% voting in favour and 37.9% voting against. Following the victory, political leaders in a number of other countries – including Northern Ireland, Australia and Italy

Greenland legalizes same-sex marriage

On the 26th of May, 2015 Greenland’s parliament  voted unanimously to adopt Danish laws legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption. Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark and has been self-governing since 2009. The Arctic nation adopted Denmark’s civil union law in 1996. But it did not do the same when Denmark legalized same-sex

MEP A. Guoga: “Deliver Lithuania from Fear”

I’m happy about the success of Lithuania’s performance on the 21st of May, 2015. I returned from Strasbourg to Brussels in time to watch the duo’s Eurovision performance together with all of Lithuania. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to vote from Belgium, but I definitely did during the finals. However, the joy of making it into

On the 16th of May, 2015, the national LGBT* rights organization LGL received a notice from the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania stating that the company ‘Julturas’ violated Article 8, Part 1 of the Law on Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Lithuania by refusing to rent a bus to LGL