On April 1, 2017 a Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta published an article reporting about an arbitrary detention, torture and killing of gay and bisexual men on a mass scale in Chechnya (Russian Federation). The national LGBT* rights organization LGL together with the international human rights community has expressed a deep concern about the current situation

LGL’s Volunteer Giordano: My Experience in Documenting the Award Ceremony

The ceremony of the National Equality and Diversity Awards 2016 took place at the beautiful Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania on the evening of 29th March 2017. Many people attended this big and important event, ready to celebrate equality for everybody beyond sexuality, religion or disability. As a volunteer and photographer of the

Activist Seeks to Become First Trans Person Elected in Honduras

An activist in Honduras would become the first openly transgender candidate elected in the country if she were to win a seat in the Central American Parliament. Kendra Stefani Jordany, who is a member of the Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) party from the city of San Pedro Sula, finished 18 among the list of 20

Kerala Might Be the First Indian State to Repeal Anti-gay Laws

The south-western Indian state, Kerala, might become the first to repeal section 377 of the country’s penal code. Even if the Bill doesn’t pass, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for LGBTI people. Section 377 is a hangover from British Colonial rule and prohibits ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’. According

The Associated Press Just Updated Its Language on LGBTI Issues

The Associated Press Stylebook (AP) which has been used as a writing Bible by journalists around the world for decades has issued new guidelines around LGBTI language. One major change includes updating the use of ‘they’ as a singular. The new stylebook entry will allow for the first time allow the use of ‘they’ as

Baltic Pride 2016 Wins the National ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ Award

On March 29th, 2017 the Baltic Pride 2016 March for Equality was awarded with the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ Award during the ceremony of the National Equality and Diversity Awards 2016, held in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius. The Baltic Pride 2016 March for Equality, organized by the National LGBT*

The fourth annual National Equality and Diversity Awards took place in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania on March 29, 2017. Honoring the works and initiatives, the awards were given to the people and organizations who contributed to the promotion and advancement of human rights last year. The National Equality and Diversity Awards

Lithuanian Minister of Health: Gender Reassignment Legislation Is A Challenge

On March 23rd, 2017 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania placed two Lithuanian ministries, i.e. the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice, under obligation to prepare legal acts that would enable gender reassignment procedure in Lithuania. Aurelijus Veryga, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, claims that it will be

On March 27th, 2017, the planning session for the 2nd Nordic Rainbow History & Art Month took place in Vilnius. Participants from Lithuania, Belarus, United Kingdom and Sweden took part in it. The 2nd Nordic Rainbow History & Art Month will happen in October 2017. Now it is scheduled for 10 Nordic cities on both

Art and activism join forces in “glittery” Minsk

By Izabelė Švaraitė I’ll admit it, I didn’t know what to expect when I set off for a queer festival in Minsk. As it turned out, the city left me with an entirely different impression. I was glad to find that the creative LGBT+ youth of Belarus are able to poke fun at the city’s

LGL Volunteers Participated in a Youth Exchange Programme in the Netherlands

Volunteers of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL share their experience in participating in a youth exchange programme “InterACTive Colors“ in the Netherlands. I come to Ommen for the second time. Everything looks just as I remember but at the same time a bit different. New faces, a new building have sprang in the yard

Japan Elected Its First Trans Man Into Public Office

Japan has elected its first trans man into public office. The country has made the landmark step with the election of Tomoya Hosoda as a councillor for the city of Iruma. The 25-year-old won of the 22 seats up for grabs in the election. The country elected its first trans politician in 2003, Kamikawa Aya.