CLOSED: Lithuania: Move to criminalise the promotion of homosexuality

Homophobic legislative amendments have been put forward for consideration in Lithuania to criminalise the 'promotion of homosexual relations in public places'.

Background information

On 14 July 2009, the Lithuanian Parliament (the Seimas) adopted a 'Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information”, despite an earlier Presidential veto.

This law bans materials that 'agitate for homosexual, bisexual and polygamous relations' from schools or public places and media where they could be viewed by children. The law has been widely criticised as institutionalising homophobia, violating the freedom of expression and the right to be free from discrimination.

It enters into force on 1 March 2010. The Seimas has not stopped with this law; rather, it has opened the door for these proposals to criminalise the promotion of homosexuality everywhere in Lithuania.

Homophobic legislative amendments have been put forward for consideration in Lithuania to criminalise the 'promotion of homosexual relations in public places'.

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