A Win For Love And The Law In Lithuania
Lithuania inches forward toward major progress to protect same sex couples in committed relationships.
On April 17, 2025, Lithuania’s highest court quietly ruled that refusing to recognize same-sex civil partnerships is unconstitutional—a long-awaited breakthrough in a nation where LGBTQ+ rights have been historically delayed.
The court’s ruling was straightforward. It guarantees every citizen legal protection within committed partnerships. This decision doesn’t automatically legalize same-sex civil unions, but it does open the door. It ensures that courts begin registering them even in the absence of formal legislation. It was only in the early ’90s that Lithuania even made same-sex relationships legal.
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Behind this ruling are years of advocacy and political persistence. The liberal Freedom Party has pushed for civil union legislation relentlessly since at least 2020, often facing backlash from conservatives and far-right groups. In 2022, even a watered-down civil union bill was rejected by parliament. However, the tide has begun to turn. This court decision clearly states that equality is not up for debate.
Not surprisingly, the response to this has been split. LGBTQ+ activists are celebrating the legal recognition, while critics have already been singing the same old song to the tune of “family values.” But what is most important is the recognition of LGBTQ+ dignity, access to healthcare and inheritance rights, and the right to name the person you love as your next of kin.
Human Rights Watch has long urged Lithuania to join its European neighbors in offering at least minimal legal protections to same-sex couples. Though this ruling doesn’t complete the job, it marks a clear beginning. In a world where so many queer rights are being rolled back, Lithuania just inched forward. That is worth celebrating.
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