A Latvian journalist has felt the wrath of the Lithuanian president after asking several questions that “have not been agreed upon”. The president insistently, and rather gracelessly, refused to answer questions about LGBT* rights in Lithuania. In the run-up to the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, journalist Gundars Reders of Latvia’s LTV channel interviewed President
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The Latvian capital is a surprising choice for the pan-European LGBT Pride celebration, but locals and organizers have high hopes that the positive impact will be long-lasting. A decade ago, two young Latvians, fresh from volunteering at Stockholm Pride, decided the time was right for Riga to host its own festival. They planned a small
On the 17th of May, almost all major EU institutions marked Sunday’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). The European Parliament, the European Commission and the European External Action Service all issued statements on this occasion. The High Representative of the European Union, issued a written statement on behalf of the EU, affirming
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,
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
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 noon on the 16th of May, 2015 LGL’s rainbow bus rolled down the streets of Vilnius’s city centre. This year, the national LGBT* rights organisation LGL, author of the censored book “Amber Heart” Neringa Dangvydė, Facebook kissing sensations Pijus Beizaras and Mangirdas Levickas, and other human rights activists invited residents and visitors of Vilnius
On the 15th of May, 2015 the official reception for Rainbow Days 2015, which was organized by the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, took place at the Finnish Embassy. Numerous human rights activists, ambassadors, and figures from the world of culture and entertainment showed their support by attending the event. Over one hundred guests celebrated
On the 17th of May, 2015, celebrated throughout the world as the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the official opening ceremony for Eurovision took place at Vienna’s City Hall Square. Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, was among the few lucky fans invited to the red carpet event,
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
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
From 10 to 10:30am on the 15th of May, 2015, a press conference for Rainbow Days 2015, which was organized by the national LGBT* rights organization LGL, was held at the conference hall of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. Vice-Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania Algirdas Šešelgis, Senior