Human Rights in Lithuania

Published by: , LGL

Baltic Pride 2022: International Conference Proud Cities Summit

On 3 June, 2022 the Baltic Pride 2022 International Conference Proud Cities Summit // Lithuanian Diversity Charter Annual Conference was held in partnership with the Lithuanian Diversity Charter at Vilnius Town Hall. “Proud Cities Summit” is an international conference where mayors from Europe and Canada, business, public sector and NGOs representatives gathered to share their
Published by: , LGL

A Conference on Family Protection and Diversity Organized by LGL at the Ministry of Justice

On September 29, 2021 the National LGBT rights organization LGL organized an international conference “Family Protection and Diversity in a Democratic Society: Problems and Perspectives” at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania. The conference addressed the legal and social issues of family diversity and the recognition of LGBTIQ family rights, as well
Published by: , LGL

LGL Commemorates IDAHOT Together with its Allies at the Embassy of Sweden

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) was commemorated at an event organized by the National LGBT rights organization LGL together with the Embassy of Sweden in the courtyard of the Embassy in Vilnius on 17 May, 2021. The event was attended by LGBT rights activists, LGBT-friendly diplomatic missions, socially responsible business, media
Published by: , LGL

Rainbow Map 2021: Any Real Progress in Lithuania is Still Waiting to Happen

Newest ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Europe Map and Index, ranking the legal and policy situation of LGBTI people in 49 European countries found that the past 12 months have marked an unprecedented year in the Map’s 12-year history, with virtually no positive legislative change for LGBTI people in Europe. Lithuania contributes to this negative general trend,
Published by: , LGL

A Message of Support for the Belarusian LGBTI Community: Freedom and Justice will Prevail

The National LGBT rights organization LGL would like send a message of support for the Belarusian LGBTI community during these challenging times. The regime of the bloody Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko will not prevail as Belarusian people fearlessly demand free elections despite continuous human rights violations. LGL has long-time partnership with Belarusian LGBTI human rights
Published by: , LGL

ENACT: International Conference in Girona on Anti-LGBTIQ+ Hate Crimes

On November 13, Girona will host the conference “How to improve the support system for survivors of anti-LGBTIQ+ hate crimes”, the final event of the European project ENACT (Enhancing the capacity of civil society organisations to support victims of anti-LGBTQI hate crimes). The international conference “How to improve the support system for survivors of anti-LGBTIQ+ hate

Following the Constitutional Court’s landmark April 2025 ruling on partnership rights, the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL has been closely monitoring political developments regarding implementation of this decision. The formation of Lithuania’s new government under Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, following former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas’s resignation in July amid corruption allegations, presents both opportunities and

Constitutional Court Refuses to Address 18-Year Trans Rights Gap

On September 16, 2025, Lithuania’s Constitutional Court issued a decision that represents a significant setback for transgender rights in Lithuania. While we understand the Court’s stated jurisdictional concerns, we believe this decision perpetuates a grave injustice and fails to fulfill the Court’s constitutional duty to protect fundamental human rights. The Context: A System Designed to

During this year’s Baltic Pride, the festival was enriched by the Pride House initiative – a series of workshops, discussions, performances, and other events created by young queer people for young queer people. Hundreds of visitors experienced the program and took part in creating a space that felt like home: one where self-expression thrived, community

Baltic Pride participants in Vilnius, 2025

Lithuanian Court Recognizes Same-Sex Partnership for the First Time

We are thrilled to announce a landmark achievement in  Lithuanian human rights history. For the first time ever, on August 8, 2025, a Lithuanian court has officially recognized the family relationship between two women in the form of a partnership and ordered the state to register their relationship as a civil status act. The Vilnius

Could Courts Finally End 17 Years of Legal Limbo for Transgender Rights?

The Ukmergė Chamber of Vilnius Regional District Court has issued a ruling suspending the examination of a civil case concerning the amendment of civil status documents indicating gender and referring to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania with a request to resolve the compliance of laws applicable in the case with the fundamental

LGL Representatives Present Partnership Regulation Priorities On July 18th, 2025, LGL (Lithuanian Gay League) representatives Executive Director Vladimir Simonko and lawyer Monika Antanaityte met with Ministry of Justice officials, academia and NGOs to discuss and present their priorities and expectations for the upcoming Partnership Institute legislation. Following the Constitutional Court’s April ruling that declared the

Vilnius, July 2, 2025 – The Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) is participating in an important European initiative “Transcending Barriers: Promoting Trans Inclusion in the Workplace” (call: CERV-2023-EQUAL), which started on February 1, 2025, and is dedicated to combating discrimination faced by transgender and non-binary individuals. The two-year project will equip human resources specialists with essential

From Athens to Vilnius: ENACT Project Strengthens Hate Crime Response

A  series of workshops across six European countries has brought together diverse stakeholders to tackle one of society’s most pressing challenges: supporting victims of anti-LGBTQI+ hate crimes. The ENACT project (Enhancing the capacity of civil society organizations to support victims of anti-LGBTQI hate crimes) recently completed national workshops in Italy, Spain, Hungary, Greece, Lithuania, and

Lithuania: Absence of Same Sex Partnership is Unconstitutional

Lithuania’s Constitutional Court delivered a landmark decision on April 17, 2025, declaring that legal regulations related to civil partnerships violate the country’s constitution. The Court ruled that Civil Code Article 3.229, which restricts partnerships only to male-female couples, discriminates against same-sex couples and contradicts constitutional principles of human dignity, privacy protection, equality, and family protection.

New Project “Transcending Barriers” Launched at University of Brescia

A new international project focused on strengthening transgender rights across Europe has officially begun with a kick-off meeting held February 20-21 at the University of Brescia, Italy. The “Transcending Barriers” initiative brings together academic and NGO  partners from Italy, Spain, France, Bulgaria, and Lithuania to work collaboratively toward equality for transgender individuals in Europe. The

LGBTI+ Rights Situation in Lithuania: Towards Systemic Change

2024 marked important changes in the development of LGBTI+ rights in Lithuania: the LGBTI+ rights festival “LT Pride” attracted over 15,000 participants, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania recognized that the provision in force since 2009 prohibiting the dissemination of information about same-sex families to minors is anticonstitutional, and an unprecedented project assessing

top