The U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons visited LGL

On the 18th of June, 2015 in cooperation with the US Embassy in Vilnius, the LGBT* Centre of the national LGBT* organization LGL was visited by Randy Berry, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons. The newly appointed Special Envoy got informed about the situation in Lithuania for LGBT* people, on

Lithuanian president comments on homophobic “Facebook” rant by DJ Ten Walls

The recent homophobic rant by Lithuanian DJ and producer Marijus Adomaitis, known internationally as Ten Walls, and the following outcry will benefit Lithuania, as it will trigger an even more open discussion on homophobia and intolerance, claimed the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė on the 10th of June, 2015. “I believe the

Justice Minister’s Opposition Violates European Norms (Berlin, June 11, 2015) – The Lithuanian justice minister’s blanket rejection of a gender neutral bill to allow civil partnerships contravenes European standards, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Justice Minister Juozas Bernatonis released today. The minister was reacting to a proposed civil partnership bill by nine

The National LGBT* Organization LGL, welcomes the fact that yesterday, Tuesday the 9th of June, 2015 the European Parliament loudly signaled its commitment to gender equality, and more specifically to an EU strategy beyond 2015.  In a landmark vote, the European Parliament has demanded to include LGBTI rights in a future EU gender equality strategy.

Rainbow Days 2015 Comes to Kaunas

Every spring, as the breeze carries fresh green leaves, the longest rainbow flag in the country waves proudly. On May 19th, the national LGBT* rights organization LGL brought the events of Rainbow Days 2015 to Kaunas. LGL invited the public to the LGBT* Myth Busters Workshop and a Rainbow Days film screening. At 16:00 on

IDAHO 2015 Forum Held in Montenegro

No cultural, traditional or religious values can justify hate crimes against LGBT* people. Such was the basis of the third international forum for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), which was held in Montenegro and serves as a message to European governments. The event was organized by the Montenegrin government, which was represented

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people remain among the most vulnerable in Lithuanian society; however, Lithuania displays a striking lack of political will with respect to creating and implementing the policies and legislation needed to combat this issue. Furthermore, it is clear that the Inter-Institutional Action Plan on Non-Discrimination for 2015-2020 (adopted on January 28th,

Rainbow Days 2015 Film Screening at the “Pasaka” Movie Theatre

Lithuanian cinemas helped celebrate Rainbow Days once again! At 4 pm on May 17th, 2015, the national LGBT* rights organisation LGL invited the public to a screening of the Italian film “Loose Cannons,” which was held at the “Pasaka” movie theatre in Vilnius. The film “Loose Cannons” (“Mine Veganti”) (2010) is a witty, ironic, and

Foreign Embassies in Vilnius Raised the Rainbow Flag in Honour of IDAHOT

On the 17th of May, 2015 LGBT*-friendly foreign embassies in Vilnius raised the rainbow flag to honour the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) and to show their support for the LGBT* community. The rainbow flag decorated the embassies of Italy, Finland, Norway, Austria, Germany, Denmark and Holland. Representatives of the U.S. Embassy in

At 1:00 pm on the 15th of May, 2015, the national LGBT* rights organization LGL’s Board Chair, Elena Dapkūnaitė, and Executive Director, Vladimir Simonko, presented the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė with the “Change It!” petition signatures. LGL leadership presented a representative of the presidential office with the signatures collected in support