MAY 7 WEDNESDAY

Public Lecture “LGBT activists in Russia today “ (activist Andrei Obolenski).

The lecture represents an incredible chance to have a deeper look at the implementation of human rights in Russia and at the issues faced by human rights activists. The focus will be on two subtopics: the legal situation for LGBT people in Russia, Russian non-governmental organizations working for the implementation and the protection of LGBT human rights. The third part of the lecture will see the introduction of the lecturer, leader of the Moscow-based LGBT human rights organization “Rainbow Association”. At the end of the lecture some time will be left for questions and debate.

The lecture was possible thanks to the support of EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

 MAY 13 TUESDAY

Quiz on human rights

In our special Rainbow Days quiz, teams will compete in the field of human rights. An actual brain battle will take place: winning will not only be a matter of knowing facts and figures, but intuition and creative thought will be required. In order to successfully reach the finish line your individual effort will need to be accompanied by team spirit and an extreme ability to concentrate.

The quiz was possible thanks to the support of EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

 MAY 15 THURSDAY

Rainbow Cinema: ” Children of God “

The film narrates two stories that overlap each other. The first story is about Lena , the wife of a very conservative and religious priest. Her doctor tells her that she has a sexually transmitted disease . Lena was always faithful to his husband and she realizes that the infection could only come from him. After some who turns out to be gay , even though they both work as activists against homosexuality. The other story is about Johnny a young artist still in the closet who has problems in dealing with his homosexuality.

 Public debate

After the screening of the film ” Children of God ” a debate will take place. Everyone will be invited to share any though inspired by the movie as well as their opinion on freedom of expression and other relevant issues. The debate will be moderated by the LGL Volunteer Marius Gorochovskis . We expect several important guests to participate to the debate, specifically Lithuanian public figures and human rights activists.

The screening and the debate were possible thanks to the the support of the United States Embassy, EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

 MAY 16

Joint Embassies Reception

The international supporters of the LGBT* cause in Lithuania will gather together and celebrate the Rainbow Days with the reception and the first Rainbow Award ceremony hosted by the French Ambassador in cooperation with the Ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and .Chargé d’ Affaires  of Canada.

MAY 17 

Rainbow Bus

“Human rights – my rights!” With this slogan in mind we will depart with our bus on May 17 at 10 am . Vilnius residents and visitors are invited to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia (DAHOT) on our yellow bus through the streets of Vilnius. There will be lots of music, good mood, happy people and various attractions. Vilnius will be in such a festive mood, since the city will celebrate on that day also the Street Music Day.

This event was possible thanks to the support of EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

 Rainbow party

Following a good day, there can only be a better evening. And that’s the reason why the “Rainbow” party will take place at Soho on May 17. Come and join us dancing and having fun till the morning!

 MAY 21

“Baltic Pride 2013” Presentation

The Baltic Pride 2013 was undoubtedly the most prominent public event of the last two years for those who are concerned with equality and acceptance. This was the first time in which a march for equality was authorized right in the centre of Vilnius (Gediminas Avenue). Permission was obtained after a complex judicial marathon, and the final decision to allow the march was a victory for the constitutional freedom of citizens to peaceful assembly. Participants to the march included more than 500 LGBT* community members and supporters.nThe Rainbow Days are the perfect occasion to remember this moment and present a book that tells the story of the Baltic Pride 2013 through photographs. The images, with their suggestive language, capture the atmosphere of the march and people’s experiences and emotions .

Public Lecture on Queer artists and their challenges (art critic and curator Laima Kreivytė)

A chance to have an in-depth look at the multiple connections existing between the arts and the LGBT* world, as well as the challenges faced by LGBT* people who work in this field.

The publishing of the book, its presentation and the lecture were possible thanks to the support of the Norwegian Embassy, the Flemish Representation at the Belgian Embassy , EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

MAY 22 

Rainbow Cinema: ” Roma Boys”

A Czech film about the seldom mentioned topic of homosexuality in Roma communities and the multiple discrimination experienced by Romas in many aspects of their daily life.

Public debate

After the film, guests will be invited, together with the Roma Community Center Director S. Novopolskaja, to discuss the multiple manifestations of discrimination, its causes and ways to combat it. We will talk about the everyday challenges faced by ethnic minorities , which are daily intertwined to the discrimination they experience on the ground of their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, as well as many other aspects of their identities.

The screening and the debate were possible thanks to the Embassy of the Czech Republic.

MAY 23

Public Lecture “Social gender diversity: multiple fears” (Equality Center Project Manager Margarita Jankauskaitė)

Discrimination towards minority groups is often caused by a lack of self-awareness and self-acceptance in the discriminating actor. Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality doesn’t differ in any significant way. This lecture will be a chance to speak about implicit homophobia and issues related to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender issues.

The lecture was possible thanks to the support of the Canadian Embassy, EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

Rainbow Cinema: ” Children of God “

The film narrates two stories that overlap each other. The first story is about Lena , the wife of a very conservative and religious priest. Her doctor tells her that she has a sexually transmitted disease . Lena was always faithful to his husband and she realizes that the infection could only come from him. After some who turns out to be gay , even though they both work as activists against homosexuality. The other story is about Johnny a young artist still in the closet who has problems in dealing with his homosexuality.

The screening was possible thanks to the Canadian Embassy, the United States Embassy, EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

MAY 30

Public Lecture ” Why communities need social movements ? “ ( activist LGL human rights experts Aliona Polujanova and Raminta Biziulevičiūtė )

Very often communities are united not only by similar experiences or a desire to identify with people that are similar to you, but also by a common goal – the fight for their rights. What are the most successful communities in political life ? What communities were successful in creating movements for the rights of its members but have failed to improve the actual political situation ? How can we organize around a common purpose? And is it appropriate to unite different communities under a similar set of goals ? These and other issues are open to debate and we invite everyone, activists and skeptics alike, to share their views on these issues.

The lecture was possible thanks to the support of the Canadian Embassy, EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.

Rainbow Cinema: ” Children of God “

The film narrates two stories that overlap each other. The first story is about Lena , the wife of a very conservative and religious priest. Her doctor tells her that she has a sexually transmitted disease . Lena was always faithful to his husband and she realizes that the infection could only come from him. After some who turns out to be gay , even though they both work as activists against homosexuality. The other story is about Johnny a young artist still in the closet who has problems in dealing with his homosexuality.

The screening was possible thanks to the Canadian Embassy, the United States Embassy, EEA Grants and PROGRESS Programme.