A proposal by Lithuanian parliamentarians has been made to forbid gender-reassignment treatment and surgery to transgender people in Lithuania.

Transgender people, being particularly vulnerable to discrimination, need the right to gender-reassignment treatment, surgery and legally be allowed to transition into their true identity.

It is not acceptable that Lithuania as a member of the European Union once again is trying to break some of the most fundamental values of the EU and international human rights principles by creating laws that discriminate against minorities instead of giving them protection.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states that
1§1: Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.
3§1: Everyone has the right to respect for his or her physical and mental integrity.
6§1: Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
7§1: Everyone has the right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications.
21§1: Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.

In 2007 Lithuania lost an European Court of Human Rights case concerning a transsexual's right to gender-reassignment surgery. The court said the state violated the individual's right to respect for his private life.

Members of the European Parliament have raised serious concerns about Lithuania’s move to prevent trans people from accessing gender reassignment treatment.

Please, sign the petition below to urge the Seimas (Lithuania's parliament) to abolish the proposed ban and encourage them to take the first step to make Lithuania a safe and welcoming place that respects Human Rights and protects all people living there, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.