On 23 January 2013 the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) has submitted a request for the Deputy Director of Administration of Vilnius City Municipality to initiate a new approval procedure with regard to the Baltic Pride March on 27 July 2013. The organization is of the position that the unilateral decision by the municipal authorities to

The LGL has been accepted as a participant in the Fundamental Rights Platform

This week the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) was accepted as a participant in the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP). This is a network for cooperation between the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and civil society organizations. Taking part in this platform implies that the LGL will be able to get first-hand information on FRA’s

MP Petras Gražulis Promises to Fight Homosexuals Once Again

The MP Petras Gražulis, who is currently in the governing coalition, will seek to prohibit ‘homosexual propaganda’ in Lithuania anew. According to the MP, it will be his response to the March for Equality in Vilnius, which is organized by the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) in July, 2013. Mr. Gražulis is planning to propose a

Vilnius Municipality Objects Pride March along the Central Avenue

Last Friday the LGL logged a notification to the Vilnius City Municipality on the planned date, time and location of the upcoming Baltic Pride 2013 March for Equality in Vilnius. The March for Equality is planned to take place on 27 July 2013 (Saturday) on the main avenue, i.e. Gediminas Avenue, in the downtown of

15min.lt reports that the LGBT March for Equality might become one of highlights in the beginning of the Lithuanian EU Presidency in the second half of 2013. The Baltic Pride 2013 March is scheduled in July, 2013, i.e. immediately after Lithuania takes over the EU Presidency. According to Vladimir Simonko, the Board Chair of the

According to the new Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) in the Lithuanian Parliament Leonard Talmont, the issue of legal recognition of same-sex relationships is way too controversial for the Lithuanian society. In the interview with the internet news service alfa.lt the new Chairman has expressed his skepticisms about same-sex marriage based on

Delfi.lt reports that Lithuanians perceive discrimination against people with mental disabilities, the elderly, people with physical disabilities and LGBT individuals as the most widespread in the society. These results have been indicated by a public opinion survey, booked by the Human Rights Monitoring Institute (HRMI). The results indicate that perception levels on discrimination against ethnic

The Book on Baltic Pride Reaches the Lithuanian MPs after the Censorship Attempt

With regard to the upcoming International Human Rights Day (10th December) the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) has sought to distribute a congratulatory package to the Members of the newly elected Parliament on Friday, 7 December 2012. The package included an official letter, signed by the chair of the LGL, and the publication on the first

A Bill, Prohibiting Gender Reassignment, Proposed to the Agenda of the New Parliament

The representative of the ‘Homeland Union’ Antanas Matulas, the Deputy Chairman of Committee on Health Affairs, has resubmitted a draft amendment to the Civil Code, prohibiting gender reassignment surgeries, five days after the beginning of the new parliamentary tenure. An identical draft amendment was submitted in 2011, but failed to be adopted. Therefore it could

Petras Gražulis Appointed to the Commission for Ethics and Procedures

The openly homophobic politician Petras Gražulis was appointed to the Commission for Ethics and Procedure by the Lithuanian Parliament on Tuesday, 27 November 2011. Despite the attempts by the opposition to prevent this motion, 53 MPs voted in favor of the candidacy by Mr. Gražulis. 15min.lt reports that one of the smaller partners in the

The European Commission has published its latest survey on discrimination in the EU, including on grounds of sexual orientation and for the first time gender identity. No significant change has been recorded in the last three years. 46% of respondents across the EU think gay, lesbian and bisexual people face discrimination, while 46% think they

The Lithuanian decision to apply the rules of enhanced cooperation should be confirmed by the European Commission on Wednesday. According to the Deputy Minister of Justice, this step has been taken by the Lithuanian authorities only after the introduction of public policy exception, which foresees that the procedure will not be applicable in the situations,