On November 2nd, 2016 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania took part in the 26th session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, at which time it presented its report on the human rights situation in the country and responded to other member states’ questions and recommendations. In the 26th session, Lithuania received as

Lithuanian Singer Ruslanas Kirilkinas to Perform at Rainbow Ball in Vienna

Ruslanas Kirilkinas, Lithuanian singer and the winner of „Music Academy“, will appear at the charity event „Rainbow Ball“, which will be held for the twentieth time on January 28th, 2017 in Vienna. The singer has prepared a special piece for the event – an anthem for the Lithuanian LGBT* community, which will be presented as

Dutch king meets with LGBT activists

The king of the Netherlands met with members of a Dutch LGBT advocacy group last month. King Willem-Alexander met with COC Nederland staff and volunteers in The Hague on Nov. 22. He also spoke with LGBT youth, seniors and those with bicultural or religious backgrounds. The meeting coincided with COC Nederland’s 70th anniversary. “It’s a

During a video interview for media outlet Alfa the leader of the ruling Lithuanian Peasant and Green Party Ramūnas Karbauskis insisted that his party „will not have a liberal view on same sex partnership law“. The politician further emphasized that „same sex partnerships will not be considered by the current Lithuanian Parliament“. Earlier this year

Hundreds attend global LGBT rights conference in Bangkok

LGBT rights advocates and allies from all over the world have gathered in Bangkok this week for the 28th ILGA World Conference. The gathering began in the Thai capital on Monday. Activists are be meeting and networking, discussing recent achievements and planning next steps all week. “This conference … provides a space for the LGBTI

History made as trans woman becomes top female finisher in large road cycling race

History was made as a trans woman became the top female finisher in a large road bicycling race. Jillian Bearden, 36, rode for the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance in the El Tour De Tucson in Arizona. She won the women’s 106-mile race in 4:36:07. ‘It’s absolutely huge,’ Bearden said of her achievement. ‘We’re at a

New EU accession reports: LGBTI rights in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Earlier this month, the European Commission’s published its annual progress reports on accession states’ progress towards EU Membership. The reports include important and extensive information on the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in those 7 countries. The reports show that LGBTI people continue to face discrimination, threats and violence in the Western

Gay rights activists march in New Delhi amid continuing LGBT discrimination

Gay rights activists have marched in an annual parade in India’s capital, New Delhi. The event drew attention to the still prevalent discrimination against homosexuals in the country. Hundreds of people marched in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Sunday in an annual gay rights parade in a country that still has a law criminalizing

MP Širinskienė: Homosexuality is Not a State of Being

During an interview for a debate show “Teisė Žinoti”, broadcasted by Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) on November 27th, 2016 Agnė Širinskienė, MP and the newly elected Chairwoman for the Committee on Health Affairs of Seimas, equated homosexual relations to smoking and drug abuse, when listing examples of lifestyle choices detrimental to one‘s health.

On November 14th, 2016 56 members of Lithuanian Peasant and Green Party entered the Lithuanian Parliament. One of the newly elected politicians, MP Agnė Širinskienė, was appointed as a Chairwoman for Committee on Health Affairs of Seimas on November 22nd. A controversy was caused when her Ph.D. dissertation Healthcare issues complicated by AIDS and ethical-moral

Seminar-Discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania“

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights, Human Rights Monitoring Institute and National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL cordially invite you to the seminar-discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania“. As pointed out by non-governmental organizations that monitor and document human rights situation in Lithuania, these rights are

We raised LGL`s roof for the second time!

Yesterday the second edition of popular dancing workshop took place in LGL`s community center. Italian pizzica performed by passionate Italian, famous swing routine “shim sham” teached by lindy hop dancer and at the end some sexi moves when learning salsa. You can see at the photos! LGL is carrying out the 10-month project “Heading Towards