Lithuanian president opposes anti-gay law

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė has spoken out decisively and vehemently against a controversial bill proposed by the Lithuanian parliament. She opposes the new law banning the public “promotion of homosexuality,” which the parliament in Lithuania intends to introduce in the near future.

Since the Lithuanian parliament intends to introduce the new “anti-gay law” despite harsh criticism from abroad, particularly from the European Union, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė felt compelled to express her displeasure with the law banning the public “promotion of homosexuality.” Lithuania’s president is taking a stand and believes her country’s reputation is at risk. The mere announcement of the proposal, she says, has already damaged Lithuania’s standing in the world.

Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed deep concern that the new law would cause Lithuania to be seen around the world as “homophobic and aggressive.” The law would make Lithuania “unpopular” abroad and would already be creating problems for the president on her travels. “This must not become Lithuania’s trademark in the EU,” newspapers in Lithuania quoted President Grybauskaitė as saying.

If the new law, which passed its first reading, is actually adopted in Lithuania, events such as Christopher Street Day (CSD), campaigns against homophobia, and even HIV prevention measures could be punishable by fines of up to 3,000 euros.

Is this new law in keeping with the standards upheld in the EU? At a time when gay politicians hold mayoral or even federal ministerial offices, Lithuania has certainly done itself no favors in seeking to define its place in Europe.