In a key vote on gender equality in mental health, the European Parliament has urged for stronger action on trans and intersex people’s mental health. The Parliament deplores that transgender people are still considered mentally ill, and highlights that this diagnoses “is a source of significant distress for transgender persons”. It adds that “every child

Thousands of UK Men Posthumously Pardoned for Historic Gay Sex Crimes

Thousands of gay and bisexual men were posthumously pardoned for historic gay sex crimes last month on January 31, 2017. The Policing and Crime Bill, known as ‘Turing’s Law’, gives pardons to anyone who has died with a crime on their record but only if it would not be considered a crime today. ‘This is

Science Proved Why Trans Kids Need to Be Themselves

A new study has revealed the benefits of letting transgender kids be themselves. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are far higher among trans people than cisgendered, especially among children. But now a study has explained in science why letting trans kids just be themselves is better for them. The new study, published

Norway Could Introduce a Third Gender Option on Passports

The Norwegian Labour Party has proposed that it could introduce a third gender option on passports. The party proposed that the third option, ‘hen’ could be introduced for those who do not identify as male or female. The AP wrote in its draft policies for 2017-2021, that it would consider introducing the third gender option.

LGL Became a Member of Volonteurope

On February, 2017 the national LGBT* rights organisation LGL became a member of Volonteurope, an international network promoting the values and principles of volunteering, active citizenship and social justice at local, regional, national and European level, both in the Member States of the European Union and the Council of Europe. On this occasion Diana Rabikauskaitė,

Chilean President to Promote Marriage Bill Debate

The Chilean government has formally begun the long-delayed process through which citizens can debate a proposed marriage equality bill. President Michelle Bachelet made the announcement on Jan. 20 at La Moneda Palace, fulfilling one of her most long-awaited campaign promises she made before she was elected president for a second term in 2013: The beginning

Workshop on Sexism in Music Held in LGL`s Community Center

On January 26, 2017 LGL`s community centre held the workshop ‘You’re pretty good… for a girl.’, where around 20 people gathered to learn and discuss about feminism and sexism in the context of music industry. You may be thinking… do we really need to talk about this? It’s 2017, we’re over this! And the short

LGL Annual Report for 2016 Now Available Online

The National LGBT* rights organization LGL is proud to announce the annual report for 2016. Transparency and independence from any political or financial interests are one of the most important goals for our organization in order to achieve effective inclusion and social integration of local LGBT* community. LGL’s annual report for 2016 comprehensively presents organization’s

European Parliament Demands Action on EU-wide Recognition of Adoptions

Last week, on Thursday February 2, 2017, the European Parliament adopted a report (533 +, 41 -) demanding the automatic recognition of domestic adoption orders across EU Member States. The report stipulates that the recognition should happen without discrimination, including on the basis of the parents’ sexual orientation. The report highlights that the lack of

LGL and Embassies Cooperate on the Rainbow Days 2017

On February 7th, 2017 a meeting in preparation for the upcoming „Rainbow Days“ 2017 festival, organized by the National LGBT* rights organization LGL, was held at the Swedish Embassy in Vilnius. During the meeting the representatives of LGL, other nongovernmental organizations and foreign embassies discussed the possible cooperation in organizing the upcoming „Rainbow Days“ 2017

Russia is a state from which one can learn “many great things”, claims Rima Baškienė, the First Deputy Speaker of Seimas. “We create a bugaboo: Russia is evil. Not at all. There are many great things in Russia that we should be learning from. It is unfair to say that everything is bad in Russia

Boy Scouts of America Says It Will Welcome Transgender Children

One of the largest US youth organizations is making a major change to its identity. The Boy Scouts have made strides recently in welcoming members of the LGBT community into the fold. One of the largest youth organizations in the US said on Monday it was allowing transgender children who identify as boys to join