The new judgement by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on legal recognition of same-sex relationships is significant for Lithuania, says a lawyer of the Vilnius-based Human Rights Monitoring Institute (HRMI). Natalija Bitiukova, i.e the deputy director of HRMI, emphasized the significance of the court’s ruling handed down on July 21st, 2015, which indicated

Lithuanian Parliament Speaker ‘Not Ready’ for Same-Sex Partnerships

The Lithuanian society is not ready for same-sex partnerships, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Loreta Graužinienė claims. “Our society is not ready for such an action [legislating on same-sex partnership],” she told the Žinių Radijas news radio on July 22nd, 2015. In her words, such decisions could be made after a new and more tolerant

Polish organizations in Lithuania under criticism for homophobic T-shirts

On July 23rd, 2015 LGBT groups expressed regret over the choice of Polish organizations in Lithuania to wear homophobic T-shirts with slogans “Vilnius on Bicycles without Pedals” (Pol. “Wilno Na Rowerach Bez Pedalow”) during their recent congress. Vladimir Simonko, the leader of the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL, said the word “pedal” was an insulting

Largest Protestant denomination in Belgium allows gay and lesbian clergy

The Synod of the United Protestant Church of Belgium has voted to decide that being gay should not be a barrier to being a minister in the church – which already performs blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. The largest Protestant Church in Belgium has voted to allow openly gay and lesbian people to become clergy.

EuroPride 2015: Be the Change!

Today is the Day. EuroPride finally touched the beautiful city of Riga and, from today till the 21st of June, will bring a wave of freshness, liveliness and queer love to the Latvian capital-city.  The event makes history in the way that, this year, EuroPride takes place in a post-Soviet country for the first time.

On Thursday May 21st, Vaidas Baumila and Monika Linkytė, the representatives of Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest, performed in the Austrian capital Wien scoring a Eurovision first with not one, but two same-sex couple sharing a kiss on stage. Watched by millions of television across the world, singers Vaidas and Monika opened the show

Cheer Queer, Opening Event of Rainbow Days 2015

On Thursday the 14th of May, the colorful and exquisitely fashionable event Cheer Queer organized by the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL took place at One-Two Bar, in Vilnius. The event successfully marked the beginning of the Rainbow Days 2015 festivities, a week-long series of events to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Swiss legislative committee backs same-sex marriage

Members of a Swiss legislative committee on Friday overwhelmingly recommended their European country extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.  The Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council, which is the lower house of the Swiss Federal Assembly, by a 12-2 vote margin approved the “marriage for all” initiative the Green Liberal Party introduced. One lawmaker

“Nəfəs” LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance officially terminates work in Azerbaijan

“Nəfəs” LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance officially terminates work in Azerbaijan on 10nd of February, 2015. The socio-political state in the country, increasing number of arrests and chasing of individuals and organizations working for human rights by government, as well as increasing risks for personal life and personal safety of organization members made “Nəfəs” LGBT Alliance to take

EuroPride 2015 will take place in Riga, Latvia

EuroPride is one of Europe’s main LGBT events and this year it ill be hosted by Riga, Latvia, coinciding with the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This EuroPride marks a historic occasion as the first EuroPride to be held in a post-Soviet country on the EU’s Eastern border with Russia. This