‘I can start!’

After only two weeks our new volunteer Annemarie left the National LGBT Rights Organization LGL – but only to return full of ideas for the following ten months of her European Volunteer Service (EVS).Where she came up with the new project ideas for the LGL community? At her on-arrival training in Anupriškės. What she experienced

Uganda has its first presidential candidate who opposes homophobia

A Ugandan presidential candidate has made history – by affirming that he opposes homophobia. With the 2016 election approaching, former prime minister Amama Mbazazi has stated that he opposes homophobia – making him one of the only Ugandan politicians to ever do so. In an interview on NBS Television, he said that, while he still believes in traditional

From the 30th of June to the 4th of July, as part of the European Voluntary Service program, I had the opportunity to participate to the mid-training, a training specifically focused on the mid-term evaluation and the assessment of the EVS experience. The training took place in the scenic location of Asveja, a beautiful place

European court: Italy violates rights of same-sex couples

A European court on Tuesday ruled same-sex couples in Italy face human rights violations because the country has not “sufficiently” recognized them. A seven-judge panel with the European Court of Human Rights issued its unanimous ruling in a case brought by three gay couples who are unable to marry under current Italian law. The decision

On the 13th of July, 2015 the national LGBT* rights organization LGL received an official notification from the European Commission Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology, stating that the Commission began investigation regarding LGL’s appeal under the European Union (EU) directive infringement process. A formal complaint, prepared in collaboration with the European LGBTI

The New Zealand government is changing the way it records gender – allowing people to identify as “gender diverse”. The government’s official data collection body  Statistics NZ announced the change, which will be the new standard across government agencies. It explained: “‘Gender diverse’ will join ‘male’ and ‘female’ categories in a new gender-identity classification released today

‘Some things you should not need to camouflage’ The Swedish Armed Forces have launched a new Pride campaign, calling on all service members to be free to serve openly. With new posters being put up across the country, it shows a woman in uniform against a camouflage background. But there is one thing that stands

Human rights youth exchange: discovering the contrasting reality of Georgia

From the 4th to the 12th of July, 2015 the representatives of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL participated to the international project “Open Your Mind 2” under the ERASMUS+ programme, youth exchange for young people on human rights and equal opportunities, organized in Rustavi, Georgia. The project “Open Your Mind 2”, gave the opportunity

Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania Juras Požėla appealed to the Chief Official of the Ethics Commission (COEC) to evaluate the remarks on LGBT* persons delivered by the representative of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in Marijampolė county Paulius Uleckas. Member of the Liberal Movement party Mr. Uleckas expressed his

Ireland legally recognizes trans people

‘It means that we exist in the eyes of the state, and I think that cannot be underestimated’. The Irish parliament Wednesday (15 July) passed the Gender Recognition Bill. This means transgender people will now be able to change the gender on their birth certificate and passport without a letter from a medical practitioner. Ireland is the fourth country

US Gay Wedding Fundraises for LGL

On Saturday the 6th of June, 2015 Lithuanian-American citizen Auris Jarašūnas married his partner Robbie Sutton in the city of Los Angeles. “I met my partner seven years ago. Quickly we became inseparable, and we were dreaming that maybe one day we will be a fully recognized family. Like a fairy tale, the laws of

European Parliament: Neighbourhood Policy to address LGBTI rights

On the 9th of July the European Parliament voted to put human rights, including of LGBTI people, at the heart of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The Parliament emphasises  the “need to focus on strengthening and consolidating … respect for diversity and the rights of minorities, including … the rights of LGBTI persons.” (see par. 22)