Lithuanian Gay League

Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) is a national nonprofit, non-governmental organization uniting homosexual, bisexual and transgender persons in Lithuania, and is dedicated to fighting homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Through education, support, and representation of the LGBT* community, LGL promotes an inclusive social environment for LGBT* individuals. Lithuanian Gay League is the country’s only organization specifically dedicated to the promotion of LGBT* rights, and its office in Vilnius currently serves as the sole LGBT* center in Lithuania.[1]

LGL is a member of the National Equality and Diversity Forum and the Human Rights Coalition. LGL is also a member of various international organizations, including ILGA (The International Lesbian and Gay Association), IGLYO (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Youth and Student Organization), EPOA (The European Pride Organisers Association), TGEU (The European Transgender Network) and ANSO (Association of Nordic and Pol-Balt LGBTQ Student Organizations).[2]

Activities

LGL fights discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through a number of initiatives. Due to the prevalence of homo-, bi- and transphobic attitudes in Lithuanian society, LGBT* individuals can feel oppressed and isolated.[3] Thus, LGL seeks to build a sense of community and inclusion by using its office as an LGBT* center, and by organizing social, educational and cultural events for the LGBT* community and its allies.[4]

Additionally, Lithuanian Gay League raises awareness about the LGBT* community by organizing major public events and campaigns. For example, LGL was one of the main organizers of the first LGBT* pride march in Lithuania (Baltic Pride), which took place in Vilnius in 2010.[5] LGL also spearheaded ‘Baltic Pride 2013’[6] and ‘Rainbow Days’ in 2007, 2012 and 2014, and partners with international organizations to host several public events each year.[7]

Furthermore, because the Lithuanian media regularly covers LGBT* issues in a sensationalist, overwhelmingly negative fashion, which in turn propagates discrimination and intolerance, LGL regularly releases publications, articles and newsletters to spread relevant, objective information to community members and allies. LGL also publishes reports concerning various LGBT* issues in Lithuania.[8]

History

Shortly its independence was restored, Lithuania decriminalized consensual sexual relations between men. Before the amendment of the criminal code in 1993, such relations were punishable by multi-year prison sentences.[9] However, despite this progress, “Lithuanian homosexuals were still living ‘underground,’ unable to be themselves, stigmatized by the media as HIV/AIDS spreaders,” as leaders of the national LGBT* rights movement Vladimir Simonko and Eduardas Platovas recall.[10] To combat such discrimination, V. Simonko and E. Platovas opened the ‘Amsterdam’ club in Vilnius in 1993 and published the newspaper ‘Amsterdam’ in 1994. In April 1994, the two organized the first International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) East Europe conference, which took place in the Lithuanian town of Palanga.[11] This event was especially significant because it was the first conference of that nature to be hosted in a post-Soviet state. Simonko and Platovas founded the Lithuanian Gay League in 1995, and the organization has since served as the only organization in the country exclusively fighting for the promotion of LGBT* rights.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "About Us". LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Everything You Want to Know About LGL*" (PDF). LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "LGBT Centre". LGL: LGBT Rights Organization.
  5. ↑ "Statement on Vilnius Baltic March for Equality". ILGA EUROPE. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to Baltic Pride 2013 in Vilnius!". LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Implemented Projects". LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization.
  8. ↑ "Activities". LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization.
  9. ↑ "From Dusk Till Dawn: 20 Years of LGBT Freedom in Lithuania" (PDF). LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Everything You Want To Know About LGL" (PDF). LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Staff". LGL: National LGBT Rights Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

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