The organizers of both the one and the other event stated that up to 100 people will participate in the actions.
As reported by the National Association of Parents and Families, non-governmental organizations that protect the interests of families and parents in the educational process are organizing a picket against the Life Skills Education Program and its implementation.
According to the association, the program establishes an attitude towards sexuality and the human person that is unacceptable to society and parents, it is not prepared for its implementation, and there are no trained teachers.
At that time, the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL), which is organizing a protest against the censorship of LGBTQ content in Lithuania, announced that the protest intends to call on decision-makers to abolish the discriminatory provision of the Law on the Protection of Minors from the Negative Effects of Public Information, which has repeatedly restricted information related to the LGBT community.
“We can no longer passively observe how our identities are censored, and students are not provided with any information related to their sexuality based on the provision of this law. The data of the latest survey of LGBT schoolchildren conducted by LGL show that the sense of safety of LGBT schoolchildren in Lithuanian schools has been significantly decreasing since 2017”, emphasizes Vladimir Simonko, head of LGL.
The organizers invite you to support the efforts of the Ministry of Justice to abolish the discriminatory provision of the Law on the Protection of Minors, and the Government and the members of the Seimas to vote for this initiative and to solve the “old problem that harms the LGBT community and the international image of Lithuania”.
The national LGBT rights organization LGL is conducting an online petition calling for the repeal of the allegedly discriminatory provision of the Law on the Protection of Minors from the Negative Effects of Public Information. About 11,000 people have already signed the petition. people.
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Interview with Maria Davis, Spokesperson for the National Association of Parents and Families
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Maria. There are two significant events planned surrounding the education and rights of families and the LGBTQ community. Can you start by explaining the concerns your organization has regarding the Life Skills Education Program?
Maria Davis: Thank you for having me. Our primary concern with the Life Skills Education Program is that it promotes ideas about sexuality and human relationships that many parents and families find unacceptable. We believe this program has not been properly vetted for implementation, and there are significant gaps in training for educators who are expected to deliver the content. Our goal is to ensure that our children’s education reflects values that align with our community standards.
Editor: That sounds like a critical issue for many families. You mentioned your organization anticipates up to 100 participants at the picket. How do you expect that to impact the conversation around this program?
Maria Davis: We hope that our demonstration will draw attention to our concerns and encourage dialogue between parents and educational authorities. By showing that a significant number of people support these views, we aim to influence decision-makers to reconsider the program’s direction and implementation.
Editor: On the other hand, the Lithuanian Gay League is also organizing a protest at the same time, focusing on the censorship of LGBTQ content. How do you view the potential overlap of these two events?
Maria Davis: It’s important to acknowledge that while we have different concerns, both events stem from deeply held beliefs about what children should be taught. While our picket focuses on family values and educational content, we recognize that the LGBTQ community also faces challenges regarding representation and rights. I believe that respectful dialogue between different viewpoints is essential for a community to flourish.
Editor: Speaking of dialogue, how do you propose to engage with those who might oppose your views, such as the organizers of the LGL protest?
Maria Davis: Engaging with opposing views is crucial for mutual understanding. We are open to discussions with the LGL and other organizations to find common ground. Although our perspectives may differ, it’s important to listen and respond constructively. We’re all working towards a society where everyone feels safe and valued, albeit through different lenses.
Editor: Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights. It seems like there will be a lot of important discussions over the coming days regarding these issues.
Maria Davis: Thank you for having me. We hope that constructive dialogue and engagement will lead us toward solutions that respect the rights and concerns of all community members.
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Maria. There are two significant events planned surrounding educational policies and the rights of families and the LGBTQ community. Can you start by explaining the concerns your organization has regarding the Life Skills Education Program?
Maria Davis: Thank you for having me. Our primary concern with the Life Skills Education Program is that it promotes ideas about sexuality and human relationships that many parents and families find unacceptable. We believe this program has not been properly vetted for implementation, and there are significant gaps in training for educators who are expected to deliver the content. Our goal is to ensure that our children’s education reflects values that align with our community standards.
Editor: That sounds like a critical issue for many families. You mentioned your organization anticipates up to 100 participants at the picket. How do you expect that to impact the conversation around this program?
Maria Davis: We hope that our demonstration will draw attention to our concerns and encourage dialogue between parents and educational authorities. By showing that a significant number of people support these views, we aim to influence decision-makers to reconsider the program’s direction and implementation.
Editor: Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Gay League is also organizing a protest against the censorship of LGBTQ content. How do you see your organization’s aims intersecting or conflicting with those of LGL?
Maria Davis: While we have different goals, I believe both protests stem from a desire for students to receive education that reflects their realities. Our focus is on parental rights and family values, while LGL advocates for the rights and recognition of the LGBTQ community. It’s essential for all voices to be heard in this conversation about education, even if we don’t always agree.
Editor: That’s an important perspective. You mentioned the need for awareness and dialogue. Are there specific actions you hope the government will take following these protests?
Maria Davis: Absolutely. We hope the government will take our concerns seriously and engage in constructive discussions with parental organizations. It’s crucial that educational policies reflect the values and expectations of families, and we want to ensure that any program implemented in schools considers these factors carefully.
Editor: Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights today. It will be interesting to see how these events unfold and what impact they will have on the educational landscape in Lithuania.
Maria Davis: Thank you for having me. I look forward to the ongoing conversation.
