Open letter to the attention of:   – José Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission – Jacques BARROT, Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice – Vladimir SPIDLA, Commissioner for Social Affairs Brussels, 17 June 2009 Dear President, Dear Commissioners, I call on you to urgently publicly express the Commission position on the adoption of

LITHUANIA: PROPOSED LAW WOULD VIOLATE STUDENTS’ AND TEACHERS’ RIGHTS AND REINFORCE HOMOPHOBIA ACT NOW BEFORE THE FINAL VOTE ON 11 JUNE A proposed amendment to the “Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information” would, if passed, prohibit the discussion of homosexuality in schools and ban any reference to it

Letter to Commissioner Spidla

Dear Commissioner Spidla, On behalf of ILGA-Europe and the LGBT Intergroup of the European Parliament, we are writing to you to express our grave concerns regarding the new draft version of the Law for the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information currently before the Lithuanian Parliament, and to call upon the

Concerns over Lithuanian draft law to “ban propagation of homosexuality”

MEDIA RELEASE 29 May 2009   For immediate release On 2 June 2009, the Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas, will vote on an amendment to the Law on the Protection of Minors against Detrimental Effects of Public Information aimed at banning access to information on homosexuality and bisexuality. The amendment asserted that ‘a detrimental effect on

Latvia and Lithuania: human rights on the march?

The lack of respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is still an area for concern in Latvia and Lithuania. Amnesty International is concerned that in these countries, human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and assembly are not fully guaranteed. With this document,

The Challenge to Gays and Lesbians by Member of Seimas (Parliament)

Order and Justice MP Petras Gražulis has proposed imposing the same sanctions for the instigation to engage in bestiality, necrophilia, and homosexuality. This has caused the outrage of Vladimir Simonko, head of the Lithuanian Gay League. The parliamentarian holds the opinion that relevant amendments to the Criminal Code should be adopted. He suggests amending the

Vilnius Mayor seems no obstacles for hosting Baltic Gay Pride parade next year

Vilnius’ Conservative mayor Vilius Navickas says there are no hindrances for hosting a Baltic gay pride parade in the Lithuanian capital next year. His statement came in comment of reports in the Latvian media that Latvia’s sexual minority organizations believe Vilnius administration would not allow the event in Lithuania. “I have not heard anything about

Open letter to the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Today, on the International Day against homophobia, we, representatives of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in the three Baltic countries are turning to our governments to urge you to take specific measures in order to improve the situation for people of different sexual orientation and gender identities in our countries. Currently LGBT

European Parliament’s Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights urges the Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas) to stop the anti-democratic law amendments which would severely impair the freedom of speech of LGBT citizens. Lithuanian government has proposed to amend the law on protection of children and if passed, it will criminalise public information of any kind on

European Parliament’s Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights urges the Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas) to stop the anti-democratic law amendments which would severely impair the freedom of speech of LGBT citizens. Lithuanian government has proposed to amend the law on protection of children and if passed, it will criminalise public information of any kind on

Tightening the gender loop in Lithuania?

LGL press review 02 04 2009 From the official today press release of the Ministry of Social Affairs of Lithuania: http://www.socmin.lt/index.php?-972103636 Minister of social affairs and employment Rimantas Jonas Dagys has issued an order to the specialists to review all gender equality programmes which are implemented in the ministry of social affairs and employment. (…)

Open letter to the Lithuanian government, the city council of Vilnius and the organizers of the Vilnius European Cultural Capital – 2009: We are deeply disappointed and outraged to see Swedish and other news reports maintaining that you are deliberately ignoring the contribution of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans cultural workers from Lithuania and the