Vladimir Simonko, co-founder and chair of the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges the LGBT community faces in one of the most homophobic countries in Europe. In the 21-year history of Lithuania’s independence, we can say that the current parliament is the worst one on LGBT issues because it has proposed
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The study session “Gender Equality through Human Rights Education and Youth Leadership” organised jointly by IGLYO, Loesje Armenia, ISCA and CID in cooperation with the Directorate of Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe was held 21-28 July in Budapest. The study session gathered together thirty young participants from across Europe, including a representative
In its concluding observations adopted at its review of Lithuania held on 9–27 of July, the United Nations Human Rights Committee makes recommendations on human rights in Lithuania. In this report the Committee expresses concern over discrimination against LGBT and Roma people, domestic violence, and alleged secret detention centres. The Committee is concerned over the
In July LGL became a member of the European Pride Organizers Association (EPOA) , which is a network of European LGBT Pride organizations. EPOA was founded in 1992 and it holds the rights to the title of EuroPride. The organization aims to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride on a pan-European level and to
The Lithuanian Ministry of Justice has proposed that persons who have undergone gender reassignment surgery be issued with new identity documents upon presentation of a medical statement without the need to apply for such documents through the court. At the same time it proposes that gender reassignment surgery shall not be regulated by a separate
Geneva 11 July 2012. The United Nations Human Rights Committee finalized the examination of the 3rd periodic report of Lithuania, which took place on 10 and 11 July 2012 in Geneva. Today, the Human Rights Committee acknowledged the productive and open dialogue exchanged with the State delegation of Lithuania throughout the review, but also expressed
The ICJ and ILGA-Europe are extremely alarmed by the recent trend in laws prohibiting “homosexual propaganda.” Laws banning “homosexual propaganda” have been adopted in five regions in the Russian Federation, including St. Petersburg, and are currently being considered at the national level. In addition, similar proposals have been introduced in Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania, and Hungary.
Anna Shepherd Helsinki Pride took place last week, culminating in the Pride Parade in which also a small group of Lithuanians took part. The Pride week consisted of a diverse range of events and activities such as panel discussions, art exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, parties and picnics. The programme also included a Rainbow Mass held
Lithuanian Gay League in a collaborative effort with the Global Initiative for Sexuality and Human Rights of Heartland Alliance has prepared and submitted a shadow report on Lithuania focusing on LGBT rights. The shadow report has been drawn up for the review of Lithuania before the UN Human Rights Committee on the implementation of the
On 26 June the Parliament rejected the proposal of a legislative amendment which sought to establish harsh fines for the “organization of events contradicting social morality”. The proposal authored by MP Petras Grazulis was registered immediately after European Parliament passed a resolution condemning homophobic laws and discrimination in Europe. 9 votes were in favour and 29
The Equal Opportunities Ombudsman in Lithuania has warned a Vilnius transport company over discrimination based on sexual orientation following a complaint made by the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL). A representative of LGL first wrote a private email to the transport company requesting to rent a bus for three hours on 17 May 2012. The company
Today with initiative from member of Parliamentary Group “Order and Justice” Petras Gražulis, a Seimas decision project was registered by which parliamentarians of the “Order and Justice”Parliamentary Group propose together with this year’s Seimas elections to announce a compulsory referendum on a Law amending Article 38 of theConstitution of the Republic of Lithuania. It is