The Parliament of Lithuania passed discriminatory legislation on October 19 that states that families can only exist of parents from different sexes. COC the Netherlands, a Dutch LGBTI rights organisation, demands that the European Union takes action against this anti-LGBTI legislation in Lithuania. COC also brought this issue to the EU's attention during EuroPride 2016 in Amsterdam.

Strong support for discriminatory law

The Lithuanian Parliament has passed with a strong majority a law that strengthens the 'position of families'. Sixty members of parliament voted in favour of the law, while five voted against and nine MPs abstained. In the law, the family model is explicitly defined as a 'marriage between a man and a woman'.

The law states that a 'family is a voluntary bond between a man and a woman who have committed themselves to take on moral and legal obligations. The complementarity of men and women is the basis of society and the most appropriate relationship for raising children.'

The law foresees the establishment of a number of organisations for the implementation of family politics, such as a National Family Council, a Commission for Family Politics and community family councils.

Law 'can't change reality'

The Lithuanian national LGBTI societal organisation LGL points out that the law excludes other family forms, such as rainbow families. LGL is worried about the continued pursuit of Lithuanian politicians to establish a narrow definition of what a family is.

'Couples of the same sex that live together in a sustainable way are in fact families and no legal provision can change that reality', says LGL Director Vladimir Simenko. 'We hope that there will be a day when our politicians understand that all Lithuanian families are important.'