On 20 October 2026, the National LGBT Rights Organisation LGL held a focus group in Vilnius to discuss the experiences of the LGBTIQ+ community and pressing public policy challenges. The meeting explored the barriers LGBTIQ+ people face in everyday life and possible solutions to advance their rights and equality.

The discussion addressed experiences of discrimination, family rights, hate crimes and access to support. Participants shared their views on gaps in institutional responses and suggested concrete steps to better address the community’s needs.

The Vilnius focus group continued the community consultations launched in Šiauliai on 28 September. Insights gathered in both cities will be analysed together to identify common concerns and challenges specific to different regions.

Participants’ experiences and proposals will inform a policy recommendations document for the Lithuanian Parliament and relevant ministries. The recommendations will propose practical measures to improve the situation of LGBTIQ+ people in Lithuania. The findings will also support discussions with decision-makers.

LGL thanks all participants for their time, trust and openness. Their experiences will be used responsibly, with due care for their privacy.

The focus group was organised as part of the European Union-funded project “‘Pride’ for Equality: Strengthening LGBTIQ+ Rights and European Union Values in Lithuania” (No. CERV2-K3-0003).

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.