Europe says no to the law "Anti gay" in the Baltic state of Lithuania

Brussels approves a resolution calling on the Lithuanian authorities to reject the legislation, but Vilnius says, "our business" and 'the most homophobic law of the Old Continent.
In Lithuania, gays big risk if the draft law on "protection of minors with regard to public information" will be approved. Some ask for amendments to punish "the public promotion of homosexual relations" with a fine of between 580 and 2900 € to prevent minors from accessing free information on sexual orientation. In the focus of the legislation also gay pride, gay pride marches . Despite the rejection of the EU, which drew the respect of fundamental rights, the government of Vilnius shows no sign to back down: "The vote on this law is a matter of members of the Lithuanian parliament," said Virginija Baltraitienė, deputy spokesman of the Seimas The Lithuanian parliament. "I will vote in favor of homosexuality because no publicity is better not to talk to the children but leave it to themselves, growing up, to discover that there are different people."

In short, less is known about homosexuals unless there will be around. The bill, dubbed the "anti-gay", has shocked international public opinion and led to the intervention of the European Parliament. In that regard was approved a resolution calling on the Lithuanian authorities to reject the legislation. Now the decision lies in Vilnius.

The European Parliament has asked the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, former European Commissioner, to veto the measure is in compliance with European law that the same Constitution of Lithuania. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has been terminated in November 2010 the risk of "criminalization of any public expression, representation or information about homosexuality." According to the agency said, in Lithuania the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are seriously at risk, unlike in other countries (like France, Germany, Holland and Spain) where being gay is no longer a taboo .

Concerned about the association Lithuanian Gay League (LGL), which has appealed to the Lithuanian President and Prime Minister that follows the recommendations of the Council of Europe anti-discrimination dated March 31, 2010.

Meanwhile, The European Parliament takes the opportunity to ask the Commission a "Roadmap EU with concrete steps to combat homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation." Today in the Baltic state gay couples are not legally recognized nor can marry or adopt children. A situation similar to Italy and other EU countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Poland) and light years away from the more liberal Spain, Belgium and in general the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark and non-EU Norway).

The "anti-gay" Lithuanian evidence that sex discrimination in Europe is far from gone. In the Czech Republic, for instance, is still valid "test of the penis", which is monitoring of the sexual orientation of an applicant by watching a pornographic movie . A practical accused of infringing the basic human rights established by international treaties.

Morten Kjaerum, Director of FRA, takes stock in light and shade of the rights of LGBT people in Europe: "There are positives and negatives. Some countries do not yet recognize same-sex marriage with legal and practical consequences for citizens who want to move to another EU state. Just stereotypes are the cause of inaction and discrimination still exist in some countries. "