MEMORANDUM ON PROTECTING LGBTQI+ YOUTH AND ADULTS FROM DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATIONAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Vilnius, June 6, 2025 We, the undersigned individuals, organizations, institutions, and business representatives, participants of the Baltic Pride 2025 international conference "Pride for Progress: Shaping Today's Inclusive Workplace" (June 6-7, 2025, Vilnius), ACKNOWLEDGING that LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly youth, continue to face bullying, discrimination, and various forms of harassment based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics; NOTING that although the discriminatory provisions in the Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information (2009-2025) have been abolished, their long-term chilling effect persists, limiting access to inclusive and comprehensive information and education for LGBTQI+ youth and society at large; RECOGNIZING the documented evidence of systemic challenges facing LGBTQI+ people, especially young people, in educational and professional environments, undermining their right to safety, well-being, and full participation; EMPHASIZING that every person, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics, has the right to a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment; We AGREE on the following priority actions to advance the rights, protection, and inclusion of LGBTQI+ youth and adults in education systems and workplaces: 1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK IMPROVEMENT a. Support and strengthen national laws, policies, and institutional regulations that explicitly protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics in all educational and work environments. b. Advocate for comprehensive national strategies specifically addressing the needs and rights of LGBTQI+ youth within education systems. 2. SUPPORT SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT a. Establish accessible and confidential support structures for LGBTQI+ students and employees within educational institutions, workplaces, and community organisations. b. Ensure that support systems include mental health services, peer support groups, and trained counselors who understand LGBTQI+ experiences. 3. RAINING AND COMPETENCY BUILDING a. Provide mandatory training on LGBTQI+ issues, rights, and inclusive practices for all educational staff, school leaders, and employers. b. Equip teachers and staff with skills to prevent and respond to bullying, discrimination, and harassment targeting LGBTQI+ students and youth. 4. MONITORING AND RESEARCH a. Regularly collect, disaggregate, and analyze data on the experiences of LGBTQI+ students and employees to inform the development and evaluation of inclusion and anti-discrimination policies.