EU Condemns Lithuania's Anti-Gay Law

Yesterday the European Union approved a resolution condemning Lithuania's new outlawing of any mention of homosexuality in public schools or media "accessible by young people."

The law, titled 'Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information', includes "the propaganda of homosexuality [or] bisexuality" as a detrimental factor on young people. It has been compared to Section 28, the law which prohibited discussion of homosexuality in UK schools. In June, President Adamkus vetoed the law, but parliament has the power to override him and did so on July 14th with a vote of 87-6. It is expected the law will come into force on March 1st 2010. Gay rights campaigners said it would lead to increased homophobic bulling and discrimination against gay people. They also raised concerns that LGBT young people would not be able to access the information they need.

Lithuania became a member of the European Union in 2004 and according to yesterday's resolution is "now in breach of EU and international treaties and anti-discrimination texts." It's unclear what action the EU may take against Lithuania, if any.