Description
Lithuanian society significantly lacks tolerance towards LGBT+ persons. The prevailing negative discourse prevents bullying of LGBT+ people in schools from being effectively fought, teachers lack skills, awareness and determination to deal with the cases of discrimination. LGBT+ friendly environment is barely visible in public discourse. Moreover, legal regulations and institutional practice are not LGBT-friendly while NGOs do not possess sufficient capacity to represent effectively the interest of LGBT+. Project aims at promotion of LGBT+ rights and equality in regards to this target group by inducing LGBT-positive discourse and strengthening NGO‘s. This is going to be achieved by launching campaigns against bullying of LGBT+ persons in schools and for positive and LGBT-friendly public discourse, studying issues of protection of LGBT+ rights in Lithuania, engaging in legislative initiatives concerning LGBT+ rights and preparing standardized models of defending rights of LGBT+ persons. Beneficiaries: LGBT+ persons, NGOs. Target groups: state and municipal authorities, NGOs, schools, society and especially children and youth.
Summary of project results
The Lithuanian society is still very intolerant towards LGBT+ people. The prevailing negative discourse prevents bullying towards LGBT+ people in schools from being effectively fought with, teachers lack skills and determination to deal with the cases of discrimination towards LGBT+ persons, and the LGBT+ friendly environment is barely visible in public discourse. Moreover, legal regulations, institutional practices are not LGBT-friendly, NGOs do not possess sufficient legal capacity to represent effectively the interests of LGBT+. Therefore the project aimed at decreasing the discrimination of LGBT+ people by inducing LGBT-friendly discourse and strengthening NGOs. The objectives of the project were a) forming an LGBT-friendly discourse, b) enabling NGOs to advocate and defend discriminated persons. Project promoter has implemented a number of activities that resulted in more positive environment for LGBT+ persons and incentive to foster greater awareness of public society as well as people directly encountering LGBT+ persons in their daily duties. Project results include: a) awareness raising campaign against bullying at schools provided teachers and other education specialists with knowledge on bullying of LGBT+ persons and ways and methods to detect and fight them; b) LGBT+ positive environment promoted through campaign aimed at public and private organizations thus exposing the benefits of being LGBT-friendly and sensitive to the issues LGBT persons face in daily life; c) analysis of issues and obstacles in securing rights of LGBT+ persons in Lithuania implemented, national and foreign organizations informed about the results and the context of the analysis; d) 5 legislative initiatives prepared and presented to ministries in charge, 2 strategic litigation cases initiated; e) standardized models for protection of LGBT+ rights developed, NGOs providing informational and counselling support strengthened. The overall impact of the project shall be visible through empowered NGOs and increased number of people sensitive to LGBT+ issues in Lithuania what may further develop into greater inclusion of young LGBT+ people, especially at schools and universities.
Summary of bilateral results