The results of the LGBTQI Inclusive Education Index and a report prepared by IGLYO, an international LGBTQI youth organization, were presented to the European Parliament on 23 January. According to the data, Lithuania ranks 30th out of 47 Council of Europe members.

The recommendations given for Lithuania outline some of the problems: neither the law nor government programs provide for freedom of sexual identity and expression. The situation is made much worse by the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information, which prohibits any public dissemination of information on non-heterosexual relations.

When Self-defense is the only defense

A 2015 study by LGL showed that over half of non-heterosexual students are bullied verbally, using swearwords; the same number (52%) claimed that teachers do not intervene when the bullying is due to sexual orientation or gender identity.

With no protection forthcoming, many homosexual and bisexual students believe that only they can defend themselves against homophobic bullying. Only very few (16%) would turn to adults for help when in need – the majority would first turn to their friends.