Protest demo against homophobic law outside Lithuanian permanent representation in Brussels
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
Ulrike Lunacek, Raul Romeva, Jean Lambert and Michael Cashman, (Members of the European Parliament), Zoe Genot and Benoit Hellings (Members of the Belgian Parliament) ILGA-Europe, the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) are organising a protest demonstration outside the permanent representation of Lithuania in the European Union.
On 16 June 2009 the Lithuanian parliament adopted an amended Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information. According to this law, ‘propaganda of homosexuality and bisexuality’ is one of the detrimental affects on the minors and information on homosexuality and bisexuality is banned from schools and any other places where it can be accessed by youth.
Lithuania now is the only country in Europe which has such discriminatory and stigmatising legislation. Such legislation is clearly a discriminatory and dangerous move which is against the principles of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. Young people, including young LGB people, deserve the same dignity and the same right to be protected, educated, and have an opportunity to achieve their full potential. Instead Lithuania just legitimised exclusion and discrimination against a whole fraction of the society by instituting a second class citizenship status to young LGB people and ripped them off of any support and protection.
Further information about this law on ILGA-Europe’s website:
Come and join us, show your support for human rights in Lithuania!
