Despite positive developments towards same-sex marriage legislation in France and United Kingdom, Lithuania is not going to follow the similar pattern. lrytas.lt reports that the current Minister of Justice Juozas Bernatonis have no intentions of proposing a bill on same-sex marriage. It seems that the Ministry of Justice has no interest in proposing legislation on registered partnerships either. “The Parliament has to decide upon this,” – says the Minister.
The bill on registered partnerships for different-sex couples was registered in the Parliament last year. It has not been placed on the parliamentary agenda due to the criticism by several politicians and lawyers. “There is a clear need for a new proposal. We are going to start a dialogue with relevant stakeholders in February,” – says the representative of the Liberal Movement MP Dalia Kuodytė. She believes that the institute of registered partnerships should encompass both different-sex and same-sex couples.
The initiative for legal recognition of same-sex relationships is actively supported not only by the Liberal Movement, but also by some representatives from the Socialdemocratic Party. “We shall not lag behind such catholic countries as Poland,” – says MP Giedrė Purvaneckienė from the Socialdemocratic Party. The MP has no doubts that sooner or later Lithuania will introduce not only registered partnerships, but also marriage equality. “A number of Western European countries have already accomplished this. I agree that our country is not yet ready to introduce same-sex marriages, but the public perceptions will change eventually. First of all the registered partnerships will be introduced, followed by marriage equality and eventual right to adopt. People get used to the change little by little. The introduction of marriage equality in Western Europe and in several states in the US has not harmed these societies at all,” – says the MP.
Another socialdemocratic MP Aušrinė Marija Pavilionienė believes that it will be extremely difficult to introduce registered partnerships for same-sex couples in Lithuania. According to her, the public discourse is currently shaped by homophobic statements. “We have to concentrate and work towards the common aim. The President has to make her opinion on this matter publicly know. How can she remain silent, when certain people are deprived of their fundamental rights?” – asks Ms. Pavilionienė. She has already approached the current Minister of Justice with regard to this issue. According to her, Mr. Bernatonis have unofficially promised her to initiate public discussion.
