from LGL NEWS #1, 1998

LGL is concerned that the draft version of the revised Lithuanian criminal code neglects to include anti-discrimination legislation regarding sexual orientation.

At the Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly in spring 1994, President Algirdas Brazauskas said that problems in this area would be solved according to international practice, but while national, ethnic, racial and religious issues are provided for in the draft, homosexuality is omitted.

“We believe that Lithuania should harmonize its legislation with European standards and to this end we propose supplementing articles 80, 81 and 82 of the draft criminal code to include reference to discrimination on the basis of sexual preference,” says Eduardas Platovas, co-founder of the LGL.

“Political parties are ignoring the problems which the gay community faces. Homosexuality was only decriminalized in May 1993; it was done extremely quietly, not for the gay community but for the European Commission,” he added. Platovas and Vladimir Simonko have led the campaign for sexual equality and gay rights since their nationwide media campaign in June 1995.

There are very few gay activists in Lithuania even though according to Simonko the community spans three generations. “We would like support from older members of the gay community but they are very unwilling to change their lifestyles. Unfortunately many of the Lithuanian gay community prefer to stay in the closet”.

“The mentality here is still very Soviet in relation to lifestyle and sexuality. Everyone was expected to be the same and if sexuality was not a topic for discussion sexual minorities were taboo. It’s still the same; even in the schools they don’t discuss heterosexuality properly,” Platovas said. “Lithuania has been so isolated that people have no experience of alternative lifestyles.”

While the LGL is aware that more publicity could bring unfavorable attention from violent groups, they are prepared to take the risk. Platovas and the LGL have done extensive research into anti-discrimination legislation.

“We intend to take international action giving details of our case to the International Gay and Lesbian Rights Commission in San Francisco. They can publish our appeal in their newsletter and hopefully gay and lesbian organizations worldwide will write letters to our government lobbying for change in legislation,” he said.

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited in Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, France, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Spain and Slovenia.

The Baltic Times

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