Gay Lithuania News and Reports 1999-2008

1 General description of the situation of homosexuals in Lithuania (1999)

2 Lithuanian Penal Code Draft Includes Sexual Orientation (1999)

3 Lithuanian gays claim discrimination to US diplomats 8/99

5 Soviet-era artist accuses gay group of copyright violation 10/03

6 Lithuania could follow in Latvia’s footsteps on banning gay marriage 12/05

7 Lithuanians protest against diversity 5/07

8 Transsexual’s rights were violated by Lithuania 9/07

9 Gay conference faces ban on public event 10/07

10 Gay club attacked in Lithuania 10/07

11 Lithuanian mayor bans gay rally 10/07

12 LGBT conference concludes despite bans and protests 10/07

13 Lithuanian authorities use security to ban gay events 11/07

14 Mayor "not ready" to support gay rights 3/08

15 Europe concerned about gays in Lithuania 4/08

16 Lithuanian MPs attempt to exclude gays from legal protection 6/08

17 Lithuania faces EU sanctions over sexual orientation protections 6/08

18 Mayors – EU anti-discrimination trucks are "propaganda of homosexuality" 8/08

19 We are homophobic says Lithuanian minister 10/08

20 First Baltic Pride will be celebrated in Riga next year 12/08

1999 (?) – Lithuanian Gay League

1
General description of the situation of homosexuals in Lithuania

Gay men and lesbians have long been a discrete minority in Lithuania facing widespread social prejudice and institutionalised discrimination. Before the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1940, there were no laws criminalising homosexual activity. At the same time, no information has so far been uncovered regarding lesbian or gay meeting places, or existence in the first half of this century of homosexual associations or publications.

From 1940 homosexual acts were criminalised and carried severe penalties under Soviet legislation. The law against consensual gay male contact remained essentially unchanged throughout the sixty years of its existance in Soviet Union and fifty three years of its validity in Lithuania. Before its repeal in 1993, it existed in its 1960 edition: Article 122. Man Lying With Man: Sexual relations between men (man lying with man) shall be punishable by incarceration for a period of up to five years.

Independant Lithuania inherited Soviet prejudice and taboo on homosexuality. Homosexual acts were criminalised for three years since Lithuania declared independance from Soviet Union in 1990. Ministry of Justice denied the registration of the first national homosexual association in 1992. The repeal of sodomy law had been hammered out in legislation committees with no input from openly gay people. It was done under the international pressure of homosexual and other groups elsewhere in Europe and the insistence of the Council of Europe that Lithuania conform to basic human rights standards in order to gain membership.

In Lithuania, there are no laws to protect lesbians and gay men against discrimination. The draft version of the revised Penal Code neglects to include anti-discrimination legislation regarding sexual orientation. The old Soviet Civil Code exclude same-sex partners. Lesbians and gay men therefore face discrimination in inheritance, insurance, pension, child custody, etc. The unofficial marriage ceremony of two gay men in one of biggest churches in 1997 was condemned in media by Catholic church officials. The international research on human values reveals that Lithuania had the lowest index on acceptance of homosexuality in Europe in 1991. In 1997 it went up from 1,3 to 1,86 but is still amongst the lowest together with Poland and Hungary. Negative attitudes towards lesbians and gay men are extremely strong among older nationalist catholic citizens.

Unfortunately this outlook is reflected in the policies of social institutions, particularly education and health services, which for the most part, deny the very existence of lesbians and gay men in this society. The President and the Speaker of the Parliament declined to speak about the situation of homosexuals in a recent television talkshow.

The official registration of Lithuanian Gay League was delayed for a significant period by the Ministry of Justice, which insisted that since the word "gay" does not exist in the Lithuanian language, no group with that word in its name could be registered. The national health magazine sponsored by the Ministry of Health recently published a condemning article and labeled homosexuals as sick and perverted.

The government run Youth Council denied funding for gay and lesbian human rights project. The negative reaction of the Catholic church has not only blocked initiatives at Government level, but has also contributed to a situation where many lesbians and gay individuals in Lithuania feel compelled by fear to remain in the closet.

1999 (?) – Lithuanian Gay League

2
Lithuanian Penal Code Draft Includes Sexual Orientation

It is expected that the new Penal Code will be adopted by the Lithuanian Seimas (Parliament) this year. Hopefully, the provisions to protect lesbians and gays will be passed although they might be opposed by the Conservative and Christian Democrat majority coalition.
Another Vice-Minister of Justice Rasa Budbergyte recently commented on same sex marriages. She said, that Lithuanian society is not ready to accept same sex marriages. A new draft of the Civil Code specifically bans same sex marriage by Article 3.12 of book 3 "Ban to marry for same sex persons".
"The majority of people in Lithuania are Roman Catholics and maintain antagonistic attitude towards homosexuality", she told BNS.

August 04, 1999 (?) – Lithuanian Gay League

3
Lithuanian gays claim discrimination to US diplomats

Vilnius – Lithuanian gays have complained about discrimination against homosexuals in Lithuania, as the Justice Ministry official finds the complaints not entirely substantiated. The Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) representatives have met with the US embassy political department officers in Vilnius to voice their complaints about discrimination against them. The meeting took place on 21st July although the LGL has disclosed this only this week.

She expressed a hope that the new Criminal Code would be approved by the parliament not later than next summer.

October 03, 1998 – Towards Freedom and Equality

4
The Legal Status of Homosexuality in European and National Law

Paper presented at the seminar " Gay and Lesbian Human Rights in the European Union and Lithuania", organized by the Lithuanian Gay League (http://www.gay.lt/lgl/english/) financed by the European Union, Vilnius

by Helmut Graupner, JD, Vice-President of the Austrian Society for Sex Research, Vienna, Austria
Just slightly more than 200 years ago sexual relations between persons of the same gender could and in fact have been punished with the severest penalties. From the late antiquity until the French Revolution homosexual behavior was a criminal offence all over Europe in most cases liable to death by burning alive.

I. Three Revolutions

Three revolutions brought the change. The exponents of the Enlightenment did not consider homosexuality as equal to heterosexuality, not even as approvable, but they opposed criminal persecution as violating innate individual human rights. Homosexual relations have been viewed as a vice or a mental illness but not anymore as a crime. This new thinking has first been implemented in Austria where emperor Joseph II in 1787 removed capital punishment for homosexual contacts and lowered the sanction to a maximum of one month imprisonment. He did however not decriminalize homosexuality. That was the feat of the French Revolution which did away with all criminal sanctions for homosexual behavior. Napoleon then disseminated this law reform over large parts of the continent. All countries which took over the Napoleonic Criminal Code (Code Napoléon) did lift the ban on homosexual relations in the course of the 19 th century… (incomplete text)

October 7, 2003 – Advocate.com (glbt)

5
Soviet-era artist accuses gay group of copyright violation

A Lithuanian artist who gained fame for sculptures glorifying muscular, square-jawed workers during the Communist era is seeking damages from a local gay advocacy group that allegedly printed a picture of one ofhis statues without permission. The photograph of the larger-than-life bronzed figures – a miner wielding a jackhammer and a stone mason standing side by side – appeared recently on the cover of a Lithuanian Gay League publication devoted to gayrights, the country’s copyright protection agency said Monday. "I created a monument of two socialist workers, not gays,"complained 80-year-old artist Bronius Vysniauskas.

"One is younger, anotherolder – both strong and full of energy. I don’t know how homosexuals cameto the idea my models were gay." Representatives of the Gay League in the ex-Soviet Baltic republic of 3.5 million people have denied violating anyone’s copyright, saying prejudice is behind the complaint. "Why can’t [the men in the statue] be gay?" said Vladimiras Simonko,who heads the Gay League. "When I look at this statue, I see two young,pretty men. No women are around." He said the figures, which stand atop a bridge in the capital,Vilnius, were among the few representations in the country of men standing together, adding that his organization intended to begin regularly putting flowers at its base. Vysniauskas has asked the group to pay him around 1,000 litas (U.S.$300) in compensation. He said if it refuses, he will sue them for defamation, seeking some 25,000 litas (U.S. $8,000).

December 24, 2005 – Baltic Times

“ The Civil Code also gives a comprehensible definition of marriage with a person of the opposite sex. The Civil Code defines marriage as a voluntary agreement between a man and a woman to crease legal family relations between a woman and a man, as stipulated by law,” he told the Baltic News Service in Thursday.

Latvia’s Parliament passed a similar amendment to that nation’s constitution in December.

22nd May 2007 – PinkNews

7
Lithuanians protest against diversity

by Amy Bourke
Anti-gay feeling has reached new heights in Lithuania after a Swedish ambassador called for tolerance towards LGBT people. Ambassador Malin Karre delivered a speech to the Lithuanian Parliament on Wednesday May 16th to commemorate the International Day of Fighting Homophobia. She told the Lithuanian parliament that the Swedish government was "opposed to any goals to trample human rights, including the rights of people with non-traditional sexual orientation."

Activists protested her comments outside the Swedish embassy in Vilnius on May 18th. The leader of the For Honour and Nation group, opera soloist Vaidas Vysniauskas, told BNS: "We are worried that the representative of the foreign country does not understand that maybe the virtues possibly acceptable for Swedish are not acceptable for Lithuanians. "Everything that destroys the family institute should not be allowed and the publicity of homosexuals violates the right of the majority of the society to protect their values."

This is the latest of many homophobic incidents in the Baltic state in the past few months. On May 12th, the mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for the anti-discrimination truck tour to visit Vilnius. The truck is part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but mayor Juozas Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. The European Commission said "it highly regrets the decision to cancel the planned event. "The anti-discrimination truck brings a message of tolerance, respect and the need to combat discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief. The activities on board the truck also aim to raise awareness of anti-discrimination laws, which all Member States have signed up to."

Patricia Prendiville, executive director of ILGA-Europe, said: "This is an appalling act of disrespect not only towards the right of Lithuanian LGBT people to peaceful assembly and expression; this is act of disrespect toward the entire European Union and its basic principles." Earlier this month, PinkNews.co.uk reported how Lithuanian bus drivers refused to drive buses bearing ads which promoted tolerance towards gay people. A poll last December found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage.

11th September 2007 – PinkNews

8
Transsexual’s rights were violated by Lithuania

by Tony Grew
A Lithuanian transsexual has won a case at the European Court of Human Rights over claims that he has been blocked from completing his gender transition. The seven judges also ruled that Lithuania must implement new legislation on gender reassignment within three months or pay damages. The 28-year-old has been undergoing gender reassignment since 1998 including hormone treatment and breast removal, but is now being blocked from more treatment because of the laws in Lithuania. He says he suffers daily embarrassment because he is still described as a woman on official documents.

Patricia Prendiville, executive director of the International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe, said: "This is a very positive judgement and we welcome the court’s consistency on this matter. This case highlights a problem with some European countries which formally permit gender reassignment and amendment of identity documents but lack legal clarity and consistency and available medical facilities. This case highlights the complexity and the need for better understanding of the issues that transgender people experience because of the legal and bureaucratic barriers they face."

Under EU law all member states must "facilitate" members of the LGBT community, meaning they must be kept free from discrimination. The European Court of Human Rights ruling today found, by six votes to one, there had been a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private life) of the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the judges ruled that there had been no violation of Article 3 (prohibition of degrading treatment). The court ruled that Lithuania, in order to meet Mr L.’s claim for damages, must adopt subsidiary legislation to its Civil Code on gender-reassignment of transsexuals, within three months of the present judgment becoming final.

The court also decided, by six votes to one, that should those legislative measures prove impossible to adopt within three months of the judgment becoming final, it would award Mr L. 40,000 euros in respect of pecuniary damage. He was also awarded EUR 5,000 in respect of "non-pecuniary damage."

Facts of the case
The case concerned an application brought by a Lithuanian national, Mr L. who was born in 1978 and lives in Klaipeda, Lithuania. At birth he was registered as a girl, with a name clearly identifiable as female. However, from an early age, he felt his gender was male rather than female. He has been in a stable relationship with a woman since 1998. In May 1997 Mr L consulted a micro-surgeon about gender reassignment, who recommended that he consult a psychologist. He went to Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital for tests in November 1997, where (it was later confirmed) he was diagnosed as a transsexual.

On 16 December 1997 a doctor at Vilnius University Santariškes Hospital also diagnosed the applicant as a transsexual and advised that he consult a psychologist. An entry in the applicant’s medical file of 28 January 1998 included a recommendation that he pursue hormone treatment with a view to eventual gender reassignment surgery, following which he was officially prescribed hormone treatment for two months. The applicant submits that in 1999 his doctor refused to prescribe hormone therapy, in view of the legal uncertainty as to whether or not full gender reassignment could be legally carried out.

Thereafter the applicant continued the hormone treatment “unofficially”.
In 1999 the applicant went to Vilnius University, where his request to be registered under his chosen male name was accepted on compassionate grounds. However, his request the same year – that his name on all official documents be changed to reflect his male identity – was refused. From 3 to 9 May 2000 the applicant underwent "partial gender reassignment surgery", namely a breast removal procedure, in the light of the new Lithuanian Civil Code which was due to be adopted.

Article 2.27 § 1 of the Code, which entered into force on 1 July 2003, provides that "an unmarried adult has the right to gender reassignment in a medical way, if that is medically possible". The second paragraph of the provision said: "the conditions and procedure for gender reassignment shall be established by law". The applicant agreed with the doctors that a further surgical step would be carried out following the adoption of the relevant laws governing those "conditions and procedures".

No such laws have as yet been adopted.
In 2000, with the assistance of a Lithuanian Member of Parliament, the applicant chose a new name and surname for his birth certificate and passport, which were of Slavic origin, to avoid disclosing his gender; Lithuanian names and surnames are gender-sensitive. However, his personal code on his new birth certificate and passport (and on his Vilnius University diploma) remains unchanged; as it starts with the number four, it identifies his gender as female.

The applicant maintained that he faced a vast amount of daily embarrassment and difficulties; for example, he was unable to apply for a job, pay social security contributions, consult a doctor, communicate with the authorities, obtain a bank loan or cross the State border, without his female gender being disclosed. As a consequence, he alleged that he was condemned to social ostracism because he looked masculine but, in official papers, was identified as a woman. That state of affairs had left him in a permanent state of depression with suicidal tendencies.

Decision of the Court
Article 3
An examination of the facts had shown that the applicant had suffered understandable distress and frustration but not circumstances of such an intense degree as to warrant considering his complaint under Article 3. The Court found it more appropriate to analyse that aspect of the applicant’s complaint under Article 8. Consequently, the Court held that there had been no violation of Article 3.

Article 8
The Court observed that Lithuanian law had recognised transsexuals’ right to change not only their gender but also their civil status. However, there was a gap in the relevant legislation: the law regulating full gender-reassignment surgery, although drafted, had yet to be adopted yet. In the meantime, no suitable medical facilities are reasonably accessible in Lithuania.

That legislative gap had left the applicant in a situation of distressing uncertainty as to his private life and the recognition of his true identity. Budgetary restraints in the public health service might have justified some initial delays in implementing the rights of transsexuals under the Civil Code but not a delay of over four years, ie since 1 July 2003 when the relevant provisions had come into force.

Given that only about 50 people (according to unofficial estimates) had been concerned, the budgetary burden on the State would not have been expected to be unduly heavy. Consequently, the Court considered that a fair balance had not been struck between the public interest and the rights of the applicant. The Court therefore concluded that there had been a violation of Article 8.

Articles 12 and 14
The Court observed that the applicant’s complaint under Article 12 was premature, in that, should he complete full gender-reassignment surgery, his status as a man would be recognised together with the right to marry a woman. The key issue was that of the legislative gap which had already been analysed under Article 8.

It further observed that the applicant’s complaint concerning discrimination was essentially the same as considered under Articles 3 and 8. The Court therefore held by six votes to one that there was no need to examine separately Mr L.’s complaints under Articles 12 and 14.

Judge Fura-Sandström expressed a partly dissenting opinion and Judge Popovic expressed a dissenting opinion, the texts of which are annexed to the judgment.

24th October 2007 – PinkNews

9
Gay conference faces ban on public event

by Tony Grew
A leading LGBT rights organisation has launched a legal challenge after one of the events at its annual conference was banned by the authorities in Lithuania. ILGA Europe members are gathering for their conference in Vilnius which begins tomorrow, but their public Rainbow Flag event has been blocked by the city’s mayor. Around 200 delegates from all over Europe are attending the three day meeting, the 11th annual conference. ILGA Europe chose to meet in Lithuania to highlight the prejudice gay people face in the country, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Lithuania joined the EU in 2005. In May the mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for the European Commission’s anti-discrimination truck tour to visit the city. The truck was part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but mayor Juozas Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. Anti-gay feeling reached new heights later that month after a Swedish ambassador called for tolerance towards LGBT people.

Ambassador Malin Karre delivered a speech to the Lithuanian Parliament on Wednesday May 16th to commemorate the International Day of Fighting Homophobia. Activists protested her comments outside the Swedish embassy in Vilnius. Conservative attitudes are common in Lithuania, as homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet Union until 1993. Earlier this year, PinkNews.co.uk reported that more than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion.

A poll last December found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage. Lithuania created a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment in 2004, as an obligation for acceptance into the European Union. In September a Lithuanian transsexual won a case at the European Court of Human Rights over claims that he has been blocked from completing his gender transition. The seven judges also ruled that Lithuania must implement new legislation on gender reassignment within three months or pay damages.

At ILGA Europe’s annual conference members will discuss the organisational priorities, strategies and tactics on advancing equality and human rights for LGBT people in Europe. New board members are elected and various organisational issues and documents are discussed and adopted. During this year’s conference the delegates will discuss ILGA-Europe’s strategic plan for 2008-2011. During the conference’s workshops, plenary panels and sessions, a variety of subjects will be discussed: addressing the rights of LGBT people at the UN level, mental health needs of LGBT people, inclusion of trans issues in lobbying and advocacy work, reacting to religious Right, making trade unions LGBT friendly, developing advocacy strategies, using video in monitoring LGBT human rights abuses, reconciling sexuality and spirituality, and many more topics.

26th October 2007 – PinkNews

10
Gay club attacked in Lithuania

by PinkNews.co.uk writer
Smoke bombs were set off in a nightclub in Vilnius last night as members of the International Gay and Lesbian Association partied inside. The Lithuanian capital is hosting ILGA Europe’s annual conference, despite a ban on a public Rainbow Flag display by the city’s mayor. Last night’s incident happened at Soho nightclub, which is next to the conference venue.

The BBC reports that revellers had difficulty breathing but were asked to remain inside the venue for security reasons. Security was also the reason given by Vilnius city officials for banning the gay public event. ILGA Europe executive director Patricia Prendiville said "It is a positive duty of the city authorities to offer an alternative venue to the applicant and they did not do that. "There is no doubt that the city of Vilnius used the construction works as a cover."

Around 200 delegates from all over Europe are attending the three day meeting, ILGA Europe chose to hold their 11th annual conference in Lithuania to highlight the prejudice gay people face in the country, formerly part of the Soviet Union. A small group picketed the conference venue this morning, holding posters demanding that delegates go home. They asked passers-by to sign a petition against "homosexual propaganda." Yesterday MEP Michael Cashman and Gesa Boeckermann from the European Commission’s Anti-Discrimination Unit took part in panel discussions.

A reception last night was addressed by Oskaras Jusys, Lithuanian Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Jusys pointed out that while Lithuania has most of laws in order, there is still a huge gap in the social development and as a result of 50 years of Soviet occupation it will take a while before the country reaches the same level of acceptance and tolerance as in Western Europe. Lithuania joined the EU in 2005. In May the mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for the European Commission’s anti-discrimination truck tour to visit the city.

The truck was part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but mayor Juozas Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. Conservative attitudes are common in Lithuania, as homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet Union until 1993. Earlier this year, PinkNews.co.uk reported that more than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion. A poll last December found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage.

26 October 2007 – BBC News

11
Lithuanian mayor bans gay rally

by Mathew Charles , BBC News, Vilnius
An annual gay rights conference in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, was attacked with smoke bombs, after a rally in the city was banned. Over 200 gays, lesbians and transsexuals attended the meeting. Delegates inside a local bar found it difficult to breathe after the smoke bombs were thrown, but had to stay inside because of safety concerns. The event was to be part of a week of events organised by ILGA Europe, a gay rights group based in Brussels. A press officer for Mayor Juozas Imbrasas told the BBC the public gathering had been banned because of what she said were "safety concerns" due to building works.

ILGA Europe rejected the mayor’s decision saying no alternative site had been offered to them and described the ruling as appalling. Executive Director Patricia Prendiville said "It is a positive duty of the city authorities to offer an alternative venue to the applicant and they did not do that. "There is no doubt that the City of Vilnius used the construction works as a cover. "

Strasbourg option
Earlier this year a similar ban in Poland dating back to 2005 was found to be in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Juris Lavrikos, communications officer for ILGA Europe said, "This ruling also applies to Lithuania. We’re very sorry that the Mayor of Vilnius is apparently ignoring this. If we have to take this case to Strasbourg too, it will be a total of waste of Lithuanian tax-payers’ money." Many at the conference see this ban as further evidence of the Lithuanian administration’s apparent lack of commitment to equality. The publication of a recent study from the Vytautas Magnus University in the city of Kaunas, was halted by university officials. A Professor of Sociology in charge of the project said he was convinced this was because it contained four pages exploring homosexuality.

Vladimir Simonko from the Lithuanian Gay League said, "There is unfortunately institutional homophobia in Lithuania. A recent survey of MPs revealed the majority of them have a negative attitude towards the gay community. It’s hard work for us."

Education law
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, is currently debating proposed legislation that would ban what they call the "propagation of homosexuality" to minors. Such a move would ban literature or films in schools that were about homosexual relationships. A representative from the European Commission said these proposals would contradict EU anti-discrimination legislation, not to mention the values of the European Union. But Rima Baskine, head of the Seimas Commission for Family and Child Affairs emphasised that the proposed law in no way contradicts anti-discrimination measures as the bill is not intended to encroach on the tolerance of homosexual and bisexual relationships. "They should just not be promoted," she maintained.

A vote on the proposals is expected before Christmas.

29th October 2007 – PinkNews

12
LGBT conference concludes despite bans and protests

by PinkNews.co.uk writer
11th annual ILGA-Europe conference came to a close yesterday. It was held in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius and attended by almost 200 delegates from all over Europe. The conference provided an opportunity to discuss the organisational priorities, strategies and tactics on advancing equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Europe. Fears that anti-gay activists had attempted to sabotage the conference were unfounded – Lithuanian and international media had reported on smoke bombs set off in a gay nightclub adjacent to the conference venue.

"It appears it has no direct link to our conference and the participants were not targeted," a spokesman for ILGA said. "We learned that very similar incidents took place at this club twice prior to the conference and although we do not know exactly the reasons, most locals and the delegates believe the smoke bomb is not linked to our conference."

The scare came amid a number of other challenges which organisers have had to face, including the banning of the public Rainbow Flag event by the city’s mayor. Nine protesters also gathered outside the conference venue to voice their disapproval over what they believed to be "homosexual propaganda". The demonstrators, who asked passers-by to sign a petition calling on the Lithuanian parliament to ban such conferences, held banners saying "Go Home" and "Lithuania will be a no-gay zone".

On the second day of the conference Ben Baks gave a notable speech on behalf of the government of Holland. He informed the conference of the Dutch commitment to LGBT equality as well as their pledge to provide financial support towards a pan-European project on tackling hate crime over the next three years. The European launch of the Yogyakarta Principles was also introduced by Professor Michael O’Flaherty, the United Nationas Rapporteur of the principles. He encouraged everyone to use the principles, which outline the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, in advocacy with their governments on LGBT rights.

ILGA-Europe specifically chose to meet in Lithuania, which joined the EU in 2005, to highlight the prejudice gay people face in the country, formerly part of the Soviet Union. Conservative attitudes are common in Lithuania, as homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet Union until 1993. Earlier this year, PinkNews.co.uk reported that more than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion. A poll last December found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage.

29th November 2007 – PinkNews

13
Lithuanian authorities use security to ban gay events

by Tony Grew
New rules passed by the city council in Vilnius will effectively outlaw gay marches and other events, according to Lithuanian gay rights advocates. Amendments to the public order and cleanliness regulations mean that the police or a special commission will be able to ban any event where they think a riot might occur. The Lithuanian Gay League is attempting to appeal this decision in court. "It will be useless to apply for permission to hold our events for the next 10 years, because we won’t get approved," league chairman Vladimiras Simonko told Lietuvos Rytas. "Assurance of security during these events is not our responsibility. We pay taxes, and laws obligate the authorities to ensure our security during our events," he said. Mr Simonko pointed out that football matches carry a high risk of violence and asked if they will be subject to the ban.

Vilnius Municipality Public Order Department will collect data from the police, the internet and the media and consider objections from members of the public, then decide on whether any event should be granted a permit. The department claims all events and not just gay ones will be assessed using this system and that no rights are being restricted as events may be held in "a proper and safe place." Twice this year gay activists have been banned from displaying the rainbow flag, an international symbol of gay rights. The Lithuanian Gay League is to appeal these rulings in court. The council’s decision is the latest of many homophobic incidents in the Baltic state in the past few months.

In May the mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for the anti-discrimination truck tour to visit the city. The truck is part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but mayor Juozas Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. Anti-gay feeling reached new heights later that month after a Swedish ambassador called for tolerance towards LGBT people. Ambassador Malin Karre delivered a speech to the Lithuanian Parliament on Wednesday May 16th to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia. Activists protested her comments outside the Swedish embassy in Vilnius. Conservative attitudes are common in Lithuania, as homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet Union until 1993.

Lithuania created a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment in 2004, as an obligation for acceptance into the European Union. Earlier this year, PinkNews.co.uk reported that more than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion. A poll last December found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage. In September a Lithuanian transsexual won a case at the European Court of Human Rights over claims that he has been blocked from completing his gender transition. The seven judges also ruled that Lithuania must implement new legislation on gender reassignment within three months or pay damages.

Last month a gay rights group launched a legal challenge after one of the events at its annual conference was banned by the authorities in Lithuania. ILGA Europe members gathered for their conference in Vilnius, but their public Rainbow Flag event was blocked by the city’s mayor. ILGA Europe chose to meet in Lithuania to highlight the prejudice gay people face in the country, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

28th March 2008 – PinkNews

14
Mayor "not ready" to support gay rights

byTony Grew
One of Europe’s most bigoted politicians has once again defended naked prejudice in his city. Juozas Imbrasas, the Mayor of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, was asked by journalists if he would back a campaign affirming freedom of assembly and expression for LGBT people in Europe. 19 mayors from across the EU have signed up, but Mr Imbrasas said: "I am not ready for such things yet." His response was unsurprising considering that Vilnius city council has effectively banned any gay Pride events on the grounds of "security."

In November amendments to the public order and cleanliness regulations were passed, meaning the police or a special commission will be able to ban any event where they think a riot might occur. "It will be useless to apply for permission to hold our events for the next 10 years, because we won’t get approved," Lithuanian Gay League chairman Vladimiras Simonko said. "Assurance of security during these events is not our responsibility. We pay taxes, and laws obligate the authorities to ensure our security during our events." Mr Simonko pointed out that football matches carry a high risk of violence and asked if they will be subject to the ban.

Vilnius Municipality Public Order Department will collect data from the police, the internet and the media and consider objections from members of the public, then decide on whether any event should be granted a permit. Lithuania is a member of the EU but remains one of the most socially backward nations in Europe. The vast majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and the church is openly hostile the rights of sexual minorities. A law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment was passed in 2004, as an obligation for acceptance into the European Union, but politicians in the remote Baltic state struggle to understand the most basic concepts of equality.

More than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion. The country has the dubious record of the highest suicide rate in the world, 91.7 per 100,000 people. A Eurobarometer poll found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage. In September 2007 a Lithuanian transsexual won a case at the European Court of Human Rights over claims that he has been blocked from completing his gender transition. The seven judges also ruled that Lithuania must implement new legislation on gender reassignment within three months or pay damages.

Twice last year gay activists have been banned from displaying the rainbow flag, an international symbol of gay rights. The Lithuanian Gay League is to appeal these rulings in court. In May the mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for the anti-discrimination truck tour to visit the city. The truck was part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but Mayor Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. Anti-gay feeling reached new heights later that month after a Swedish ambassador called for tolerance towards LGBT people.

Ambassador Malin Karre delivered a speech to the Lithuanian Parliament on Wednesday May 16th to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia. Activists protested her comments outside the Swedish embassy in Vilnius. Because of the de-facto ban on gay events in the city, LGBT activists are to hold Baltic Pride in Riga next year.

4th April 2008 – PinkNews

15
Europe concerned about gays in Lithuania

by Tony Grew
A leading European organisation has reminded the government of a new EU nation that rallies and public events cannot be banned just because some people are homophobic. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe expressed concern about the situation in Lithuania, where sexual minorities are barred from holding Pride marches by the authorities in the capital Vilnius. A Luxembourgian member of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, Jean Huss, complained to the committee about the actions of the Vilnius Mayor, Juozas. In an embarrassment for Lithuania, the Council of Europe has formally expressed concern over the situation in their country for the first time since it broke from the Soviet Union and became a free nation once again.

The 47-member Council of Europe predates the European Union. It promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights. "According to the established case law of the European Court of Human Rights, peaceful demonstrations, be they in favour of the rights of LGBT persons or others, cannot be banned simply because of the existence of attitudes hostile to the demonstrators or to the causes they advocate," the Committee of Ministers said. "On the contrary, the state has a duty to take reasonable and appropriate measures to enable lawful demonstrations to proceed peacefully. In a series of judgments, the Court has emphasised that any discrimination based on sexual orientation is contrary to the Convention.2 All member states must observe the Convention when they apply national law, notably in the light of the case law of the Court."

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has forwarded documents from the CoE to Mayor Imbrasas. Read the full statement on the CoE website.

"Changing something is not up to us, I have no idea what else we can do to make them change their minds," Darius Staniulis, director of the Foreign Ministry’s Human Rights Division, told Lietuvos Rytas newspaper. Vilnius city council has effectively banned any gay Pride events on the grounds of "security." In November amendments to the public order and cleanliness regulations were passed, meaning the police or a special commission will be able to ban any event where they think a riot might occur.

"It will be useless to apply for permission to hold our events for the next 10 years, because we won’t get approved," Lithuanian Gay League chairman Vladimiras Simonko said. "Assurance of security during these events is not our responsibility. We pay taxes, and laws obligate the authorities to ensure our security during our events."

Vilnius Municipality Public Order Department will collect data from the police, the internet and the media and consider objections from members of the public, then decide on whether any event should be granted a permit. Lithuania is a member of the EU but remains one of the most socially backward nations in Europe. A large majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and the church is openly hostile the rights of sexual minorities. A law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment was passed in 2004, as an obligation for acceptance into the European Union, but politicians in the remote Baltic state struggle to understand the most basic concepts of equality. More than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion.

A 2006 Eurobarometer poll found that only 17% of Lithuanians support gay marriage. Twice last year gay activists have been banned from displaying the rainbow flag, an international symbol of gay rights. The Lithuanian Gay League is to appeal these rulings in court. In May the Mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for an anti-discrimination truck tour to visit the city. The truck was part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but Mayor Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. Anti-gay feeling reached new heights later that month after a Swedish ambassador called for tolerance towards LGBT people.

Ambassador Malin Karre delivered a speech to the Lithuanian Parliament on Wednesday May 16th to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia. Activists protested her comments outside the Swedish embassy in Vilnius. Because of the de-facto ban on gay events in the city, LGBT activists are to hold Baltic Pride in Riga next year.

June 6, 2008 – PinkNews

16
Lithuanian MPs attempt to exclude gays from legal protection

by Tony Grew
Members of Parliament in Lithuania have removed age, disability, and sexual orientation protections from a new draft law on equal opportunities. Several articles of the proposed legislation had conformed the European Union anti-discrimination policy, which covers those three groups. MP Egidijus Klumbys successfully argued that the country’s constitution, which does mention sex, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, religion, convictions, or opinions but not sexual orientation, should be the template. The Lithuanian Gay League condemned the move.

"We would like to point out that such an amendment considerably narrows the application of the non-discrimination principle in Lithuania," the group said in a statement. " Directive 2000/78/EC obligates governments to ensure that people complaining of discriminatory behaviour in their respect based on their age, disability and sexual orientation should have the right to get support and be represented by relevant trade unions or expert organisations or associations. Furthermore, governments must guarantee that the sanctions imposed in cases of discrimination are effective and proportionate, and that they do not encourage any further discrimination."

The Lithuanian Gay League has urged MPs to include in the new law all types of discrimination listed in article 13 of the European Community Treaty. That covers education, social security, health care and the provision of goods and services. "Governments must guarantee that the sanctions imposed in cases of discrimination are effective and proportionate, and that they do not encourage any further discrimination," said LGL. "In other words, sanctions for discriminative behaviour must be related to the damage done and be a means discouraging such discriminative behaviour."

Lithuania has arguably the worst record on gay rights of any EU nation. In April a leading European organisation reminded the Lithuanian government that rallies and public events cannot be banned just because some people are homophobic. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe expressed concern about the situation in Lithuania, where sexual minorities are barred from holding Pride marches by the authorities in the capital Vilnius. The Council of Europe formally expressed concern over the situation in the country for the first time since it broke from the Soviet Union and became a free nation once again. The 47-member Council of Europe promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights.

"According to the established case law of the European Court of Human Rights, peaceful demonstrations, be they in favour of the rights of LGBT persons or others, cannot be banned simply because of the existence of attitudes hostile to the demonstrators or to the causes they advocate," the Committee of Ministers said. "On the contrary, the state has a duty to take reasonable and appropriate measures to enable lawful demonstrations to proceed peacefully. In a series of judgments, the Court has emphasised that any discrimination based on sexual orientation is contrary to the Convention.2 All member states must observe the Convention when they apply national law, notably in the light of the case law of the Court."

Vilnius city council has effectively banned any gay Pride events on the grounds of "security." In November amendments to the public order and cleanliness regulations were passed, meaning the police or a special commission will be able to ban any event where they think a riot might occur. "It will be useless to apply for permission to hold our events for the next 10 years, because we won’t get approved," Lithuanian Gay League chairman Vladimiras Simonko said. "Assurance of security during these events is not our responsibility. We pay taxes, and laws obligate the authorities to ensure our security during our events."

Lithuania is a member of the EU but remains one of the most socially backward nations in Europe. A large majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and the church is openly hostile the rights of sexual minorities. A law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment was passed in 2004, as an obligation for acceptance into the European Union, but politicians in the remote Baltic state struggle to understand the most basic concepts of equality. More than half of Lithuanian MPs believe homosexuality to be a perversion. Twice last year gay activists were banned from displaying the rainbow flag, an international symbol of gay rights. Because of the de-facto ban on gay events in the city, LGBT activists are to hold Baltic Pride in Riga next year.

June 10, 2008 – PinkNews

17
Lithuania faces EU sanctions over sexual orientation protections

by Jane Rochstad Lim
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, will vote today on whether to remove sexual orientation, age and disability from a new draft law on equal opportunities. Several articles of the proposed legislation had conformed the European Union anti-discrimination policy, which covers those three groups, but was amended last week. If it passes, it could mean that gays in Lithuania could be paid less or fired from their jobs due to their sexual orientation. This will affect all people living or working or visiting the small Baltic state and could open a flood gate of discrimination in access to good and services.

The proposed law not only takes the country back ten years, but also comes into direct conflict with a European Council Directive which states that disability, age or sexual orientation must be covered. The European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay an Lesbian rights has called upon Lithuania to respect all its citizens equally and keep the protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

"I must warn Lithuania, that sanctions will follow, if the effective redress stipulated in Directive 2000/78/EC is not guaranteed", said Michael Cashman, President of the Intergroup. This act by Seimas will also send a negative signal to the world that Lithuania is a country of intolerance. Vilnius will be The European Capital of Culture of 2009. It must welcome and protect all our citizens not just from the EU, but from around the world. I urge the Lithuanian politicians to do the right thing."

This is not the first time the Catholic dominated country has shown its homophobic side. In May last year, Lithuania faced criticisms from human rights group Amnesty International and the EU when Mayor Juozas Imbrasas refused to allow EU-sponsored anti-discrimination trucks into the capital Vilnius. Gay rights marches are effectively banned for "public order" reasons.

August 20, 2008 – PinkNews

18
Lithuanian mayors claim EU anti-discrimination trucks are "propaganda of homosexuality"

by Jamie Skey
Two mayors of Lithuanian cities have refused to allow an EU anti-discrimination truck on their municipal territories this year. In a compromise, the touring vehicle, which has been organised by the European Commission, will have to be displayed on the private territory of a supermarket. Last year, for the first time in its history, the truck was completely banned by Lithuania. This time round, the vehicle will be calling into Vilnius (20th August) and Kaunas (22th August).

The mayor of Vilnius, Juozas Imbrasas, refused to allow the truck into the city claiming that participation of LGBT activists would be "propaganda of homosexuality." Andrius Kupcinskas, Mayor of Kaunas, said that the "homosexual festival may cause many negative emotions." The EU "For Diversity. Against Discrimination." truck is travelling around Europe to promote diversity and tolerance. While stopping in various destinations across Europe, it engages locals to learn more about EU anti-discrimination laws, co-operate with local organisations representing various groups protected from discrimination, it also facilitates debates, exhibitions concerts and competitions.

Although being satisfied that this year the truck is not being prevented from stopping in Lithuania, the International Lesbian Gay Association (ILGA) Europe and Lithuania Gay League (LGL) are disappointed that the mayors of the two cities have taken this stance on the trucks. ILGA-Europe and LGL are also disappointed that the European Commission has agreed on a compromise between the municipal and private territory.

Vladimir Simonko, Chair of Lithuanian Gay League, said: "We know that it takes time to build a non-homophobic, tolerant and inclusive society. "Major European cities are mainstreaming equality by holding numerous public events including LGBT Prides. Unfortunately, it is not a practice in two main Lithuanian cities, which refuse to embrace such an important anti-discrimination information campaign. Furthermore, the mayors of Vilnius and Kaunas are sending a clear message that LGBT people are still not welcome in their diverse communities and are creating some kind of 21st century apartheid. Homosexuals who find it impossible to live in such a situation are forced to emigrate to more tolerant European cities."

October 7, 2008 – PinkNews

19
We are homophobic says Lithuanian minister

by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
A senior politician in Lithuania has spoken frankly about the lack of acceptance of gay people in the country. Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas, speaking in Parliament yesterday, said: "Lithuania is one of the most homophobic countries in the EU. This has to be viewed as a fact. The situation cannot be changed by any one party or minister."

Mr Vaitiekunas added that it would take a generational change before attitudes were different. At present gay people are barred from holding Pride marches by the authorities in the capital Vilnius. In April the Council of Europe formally expressed concern over the situation in the country for the first time since it broke from the Soviet Union in 1991. Twice last year gay activists were banned from displaying the rainbow flag, an international symbol of gay rights.

In May 2007 the Mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for an anti-discrimination truck tour to visit the city. The truck was part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, but Mayor Imbrasas claimed it could cause a security risk and riots. A large majority of the Lithuanian population are Roman Catholics, and the church is openly hostile the rights of sexual minorities. A law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment was passed in 2004, as an obligation for acceptance into the European Union.

December 16, 2008 – PinkNews

20
First Baltic Pride will be celebrated in Riga next year

by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
LGBT organisations from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have announced their plans to hold a joint Pride event next year. Baltic Pride aims to draw attention to the situation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the three EU member states and "encourage people of different sexual orientations to celebrate diversity and Baltic unity." Estonian Gay Youth (EGN), Latvian LGBT group Mozaika and the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) have agreed to organise joint pride events in the Baltic and will begin with Riga next year. The Pride programme will consist of a political discussion on non-discrimination principles in the European Union, seminars, cultural events and a Pride parade.

The festival will run from May 15th to May 17th, the international day against homophobia (IDAHO). Lithuanian gay activist Vladimir Simonko, chairperson of LGL, said it is important to "follow the example of Estonia and Latvia, where Pride parades have already taken place for a few years and the understanding of freedom of assembly and expression has grown bigger than in Lithuania." LGL are planning Baltic Pride in Vilnius in 2010. In August two mayors of Lithuanian cities refused to allow an EU anti-discrimination exhibition on public land.

In a compromise, the touring vehicle, organised by the European Commission, was displayed on private property. The mayor of Vilnius, Juozas Imbrasas, refused to allow the truck into the city claiming that participation of LGBT activists would be "propaganda of homosexuality." Andrius Kupcinskas, Mayor of Kaunas, said that the "homosexual festival may cause many negative emotions." The LGBT community face considerable prejudice in the Baltic states, where the Roman Catholic church and other Christian denominations have considerable political and social influence.

In the run up to this year’s Riga Pride, Cardinal Janis Pujats said homosexuality is against the natural order and, therefore, against the laws of God, and that homosexuals also claim unlawfully to have the rights of a minority. The event in June passed off peacefully. Police arrested four of an estimated 400 anti-gay protesters, but the threats of violence against the Pride march did not materialise. British and Swedish human rights advocates and politicians were among the 300 people who took part in the event. City authorities closed off streets and deployed police to keep the groups apart.

The marchers were taken away in buses at the end of the event. Despite the situation in Latvia and Lithuania, Estonian gays may soon be given new rights. "The Estonian LGBT community is still waiting for the discussion of same-sex partnership to be brought up in the Estonian Parliament,” said Madle Saluveer of EGN. “The partnership law would be the first big step forward in the recognition of LGBT rights in the Baltic states. We would like similar progress to take place in all three countries – after all, we are close neighbours and have in common a wish to develop our democracies.”

In July the Estonian Ministry of Justice confirmed it was preparing a draft law which would allow same-sex partners to register their cohabitation. Amendments to inheritance, property rights and citizenship will be included and unmarried heterosexual couples could also benefit from the draft law. In 2006 Tallinn Pride was marred by violence. 15 people were injured after being attacked by groups of skinheads with sticks and stones. Tallinn police tried to alter the parade route in 2007, claiming their presence would infringe the rights of other residents to go about their business. However, the route was authorised after protests by gay rights activists.