Stop homophobia in Lithuania

Yesterday Members of the Green Group in the European Parliament together with a few FYEG’ers and other NGO’s  were present at a demonstration outside the Lithuanian permanent representation in Brussels to protest against the new homophobic and oppressive law in Lithuania.

On 16 June 2009 the Lithuanian parliament adopted an amended Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information. According to this law, “propaganda of homosexuality and bisexuality” is one of the detrimental affects on the minors and information on homosexuality and bisexuality is banned from schools and any other places where it can be accessed by youth.

This is a disturbing attempt to diminish the human rights of EU citizens. This new law limits the freedom of expression solemly based on homophobia and this is a clear violation of the EU’s fundamental rights and principles.
This can not proceed unnoticed and therefor we ask of the Lithuanian governement to stop the adoption of this law immidiatly.

Green goes pink

Hi all!

As you probably all know, today is IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. FYEG got a press release out on Saturday stating that according to the Young Greens, diversity in all its appearances should be celebrated and that Human Rights violation against LGBTQI people is unacceptable. 

That same Saturday, on the 16^th of May, I joined Ecolo (j) and (Jong) Groen together with Battal and Bruno at the Gaypride in Brussels to make a statement on anti-discrimination and equal rights.

It was nice weather, with about 16 degrees and no rain during the parade. There were several prominent Greens and candidates for the European Parliament present, among them Evelyne Huytebroeck and Isabelle Durant. There was a very positive and celebrative atmosphere and I really enjoyed the pride! Also, I am very proud that we as Greens were so well represented during the Brussels pride. There was a large group of Greens present and of course also the Young Greens were represented and very present.

As you can see in the pictures, there was a large group bicycle by which we moved through Brussels. In the mean time we drank organic wine, brewed from flowers and syrup which tasted really well! And as you can also see in the pictures, Ecolo and Groen brought a whole bunch of tattoos with a heart in rainbow colours. People will be making green statements for quite a couple of days probably, since I found out that it is very difficult to wash them off…