The partner of a woman who gave birth to twins was automatically recognized at birth as the babies’ mother, in a landmark ruling in Tel Aviv, Israel on the 28th of April, 2015. Before the children’s birth, the couple, who have been together for nine years, filed a petition to recognize the non-birth mother as
News / Human Rights
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
On the 29th of April, 2015 the EU Court of Justice (EUCJ) ruled that permanently banning men who have had sex with men (MSM) from blood donation, may be justified, depending on the situation in the country. The case got to the EU Court after Mr Léger, a French national, was refused blood donation on
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
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,
Women exercising together with the Lithuanian transgender entertainer Agness Landau in a Vilnius gym did not wish to change their clothes in the same locker room. The gym, which has locker rooms for both women and men, refused to comment upon the situation to Lithuanian TV journalists. However, the spokesperson of a gym claimed that
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
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
On Monday the 20th of April, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania Seimas hosted a Human Right Conference Equality Policies in Europe and in Lithuania: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives. The event was organized by the National Equality and Diversity forum (NEDF) in cooperation with the Office of Equal Opportunities Ombudsman of the Republic
The Lithuanian courts have issued a verdict on the criminal case of Laurynas Baltrūnas. Ruslanas Kirilkinas, an openly gay performer, pressed charges against Mr. Baltrūnas, who launched a homophobic attack against the singer, pelting him with eggs during a performance. Although Mr. Baltrūnas has successfully evaded imprisonment for his offenses, the courts are requiring him
It has long been the case that international corporates have acted as sponsors for LGBT* events in capital cities throughout the world. From New York City’s annual Pride event to Berlin’s St. Christopher Street Day festivals, corporates play a huge role in providing funding streams, quality programming and networking opportunities for the LGBT* community and
A Director of Pilaitė high school in Vilnius Zotikas Popovas was “horrified” to receive a publication about homophobic bullying in Lithuanian schools, sent as a gift to schools and educational institutions throughout the country by the national LGBT* rights organization LGL on the 3rd of April, 2015. The publication “Homophobic Bullying in Lithuanian Schools: Survey