Stop LGBT Content Censorship in Lithuania

Update – 18 December, 2024: In a historic ruling, Lithuania’s Constitutional Court declared the “anti-LGBT propaganda” provisions unconstitutional, striking down a 15-year-old law that censored LGBT+ content and stifled inclusive education. The Court emphasized that protecting minors must never come at the expense of human rights, equality, and pluralism, affirming that access to diverse family narratives is essential for young people’s development. This landmark decision is a victory for freedom and dignity.

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Update – 08 November 2023: Today, the Lithuanian parliament has made the disheartening decision to reject proposed amendments to the controversial law that bans the dissemination of any LGBT+ supportive information to minors. The persistence of this law, especially after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against it, sends a worrying signal as we approach the upcoming elections. It is a stark reminder of the urgency of our advocacy. Now, more than ever, we need your help to stand against censorship and discrimination.

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For thirteen years now, the regulatory system in Lithuania has embedded a law resembling the Russian anti-gay propaganda laws: the Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information. One of its amendments defines harmful information as “disdaining family values” and promoting “alternative” family.

Although the Government assured that the law was not going to be applied in a discriminatory way, two social pro-LGBT videos have already been censored and one social documentary was postponed until the regulatory authority carried out a decision on its content’s compatibility with the above-mentioned regulation. Unreasonably relying on the "anti-gay propaganda" provision, some schools still obstruct access to inclusive education which also affects the deteriorating state of LGBTIQ students' emotional wellbeing.

EC(t)HR in Macate v. Lithuania, a case which concerned state-imposed restrictions for distributing a fairy-tale book with LGBTIQ-friendly content, found that information cannot be considered harmful simply because it contains information about same-sex relationships. Despite this decision, Lithuanian authorities so far did not take any action to repeal the "anti-gay propaganda provision.

Stand up against LGBT+ content censorship in Lithuania by signing this petition!

This campaign is being run in conjunction with LGL.