Thursday, June 30th, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in Taddeucci and McCall v Italy, that the refusal to grant one partner in a same-sex couple a residence permit violated their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly Article 14, prohibition of discrimination, taken with Article 8, respect for family life. The

Czech court strikes down ban on gay people adopting children

A Czech court has struck down the country’s ban on gay people adopting children – though only for individuals. The country had maintained a law that outlawed gays and lesbians who are in registered partnerships from adopting children, either together or as an individual. However, the Czech Constitutional Court has overturned a law which banned

On June 28th, 2016 the Lithuanian Parliament voted in favor of the constitutional amendment, which seeks to eliminate same-sex couples from the ambit of the constitutional concept of family life. 74 MPs voted in favor of the constitutional amendment, 19 MPs voted against and 20 MPs abstained. This vote implicates that no sooner than in

On 17 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy Alice Bah Kuhnke, who came to Vilnius to take part in human rights events and to express support for the Baltic Pride March for Equality on 18 June. Linkevičius hailed the excellent and intensive

Unity triumphed at the Baltic Pride Park Concert

After the Baltic Pride 2016 March for Equality, which took place on Gediminas Avenue on June 18th, all LGBT* community members and friends were invited to the art factory LOFTAS for a delightful Baltic Pride Park Concert. Baltic Pride Park Concert featured the legendary winner of the Eurovision Song Contest Dana International, who is well

Vilnius Celebrated Baltic Pride 2016

On 18th June, 2016 a crowd of 3000 Lithuanian LGBT* community members and their allies participated in the March for Equality on the central avenue in the downtown of Vilnius to celebrate the Baltic Pride 2016, the most important LGBT* (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community event in the Baltic states, organized by the National

Supporters of Baltic Pride 2016 had an opportunity to take part in an exceptional gala dinner, and enjoy a delicious three-course menu alongside first class entertainment. The host, comedian Paulius Ambrazevičius, lead the participants through the evening, which included extraordinary performances by La Diva Live (Belgium) and Ruslanas Kirilkinas (Lithuania), introductions from LGBT* activists, and

LGL invited to International Baltic Pride 2016 Human Rights Conference

The National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL invited to the one-day international human rights conference “Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships: Emerging International Consensus and Local Opportunities”, which has been organized within the framework of the Baltic Pride 2016 events on 17 June 2016. It was organized with the view of discussing the international and European movement

The National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL invited to the Baltic Pride 2016 cultural event “Pride Voices”, which took place on June 16th, 2016 at the Lithuanian Russian Drama Theater. During the “Pride Voices” event internationally distinguished LGBT* people and allies shared their personal testimonies within the broader struggle for LGBT* equality. The list of speakers

Pride House Hosted Bisex Speed-dating

“Bisexuality immediately doubles your chances for a date on Saturday night” [Woody Allen]. In anticipation of a busy Saturday night, Pride House invited to a series of speedy “dates” hosted by LGL volunteers. The participants of the event were invited to make new friendships and to create a sense of community between bisexual people and

On 15 June, 2016 the Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament Loreta Graužinienė said that she welcomes the Baltic Pride March for Equality, but that she herself does not plan to participate, as she wants to spend that day with her family. “I congratulate any socially active group of people, because it’s very important for the public

Ambassadors residing in Lithuania express their support for Baltic Pride 2016

On 14 June, 2016 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and ambassadors residing in Lithuania publicly expressed their support for the local LGBT* community and Baltic Pride 2016 March for Equality in Vilnius. Four embassies of countries with European Union membership – Poland, Hungary, Romania and Greece – abstained from contributing.