I’m happy about the success of Lithuania’s performance on the 21st of May, 2015. I returned from Strasbourg to Brussels in time to watch the duo’s Eurovision performance together with all of Lithuania. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to vote from Belgium, but I definitely did during the finals. However, the joy of making it into
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On the 16th of May, 2015, the national LGBT* rights organization LGL received a notice from the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania stating that the company ‘Julturas’ violated Article 8, Part 1 of the Law on Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Lithuania by refusing to rent a bus to LGL
Northern Ireland is facing increasing pressure over its stance on same-sex marriage after Ireland voted Yes in Friday’s (22 May) referendum. Unlike in the rest of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland still prohibits same-sex marriage; England, Wales and Scotland legalized it last year. Last month was the fourth time the Northern Ireland Assembly rejected a
On the 23d of May, 2015 Ireland has become the first country in which same-sex couples have received marriage rights through a popular vote. The Irish Independent is reporting the referendum passed by a 62-38 percent margin. “It is about removing discrimination,” Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny told NBC News during an interview after voting
On Thursday May 21st, Vaidas Baumila and Monika Linkytė, the representatives of Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest, performed in the Austrian capital Wien scoring a Eurovision first with not one, but two same-sex couple sharing a kiss on stage. Watched by millions of television across the world, singers Vaidas and Monika opened the show
No cultural, traditional or religious values can justify hate crimes against LGBT* people. Such was the basis of the third international forum for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), which was held in Montenegro and serves as a message to European governments. The event was organized by the Montenegrin government, which was represented
Russian entry told Gay Star News ‘everyone is equal’. Pride flags flew clearly and proudly during Russia’s Eurovision semi-final performance last night (19 May). Polina Gagarina, the Russian act for this yearly camp song contest held in Vienna, Austria, sang A Million Voices. At one point during the performance, the audience were shown and all you
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
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