The freedom of expression for LGBT people conference organized by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination of the PACE will take place in the Conference Room Dom Poselski in the Polish Parliament in Warsaw. The opening session will start with the a welcome speech by the Chair of the Conference, Ms Tina Acketoft, Chairperson of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, and also by Ms. Wanda Nowicka, Vice-Speaker of the Polish Parliament.

The conference will be split into three main sessions: Freedom of expression, Freedom of Assembly, Tackling Homophobic speech and violence. Other speakers will include prominent politicians and human rights activists. During the working lunch there will be also a possibility of joining informal thematic tables, for instance LGBT rights in Poland, transgender issues, LGBT’s daily life and many others.

One of the Lithuanian representatives is Vladimir Simonko, Board Chair of Lithuanian Gay League. “Since the project of organizing an LGBT Conference in the Lithuanian Parliament has been rejected, Lithuanian diversity rights activists are forced to watch other countries’ activities in case it could be helpful in providing them in the Baltic countries as well,” said Simonko and added “A great surprise was the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that expressed the will to organize it.” In this light, there is hope that the LGBT Conference in Lithuania will take place without any other disturbances.