LGBT rights in Slovakia
| LGBT rights in Slovakia | |
|---|---|
![Location of Slovakia (dark green)– in Europe (light green & dark grey)– in the European Union (light green) — [Legend]](/wiki/File:EU-Slovakia.svg) Location of Slovakia (dark green)
– in Europe (light green & dark grey) |
|
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Legal since 1962, age of consent equalized in 1990 |
| Gender identity/expression | - |
| Military service | Gays and lesbians allowed to serve |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation protection since 2002 (see below) |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships |
No |
| Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Slovakia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Slovakia, but households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
Predominantly Christian Slovakia, unlike its neighbour, the Czech Republic, is more conservative on issues dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights.
Contents |
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity[edit]
Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1962. The age of consent was equalized with the heterosexual age of 15 in 1990.[1]
Recognition of same-sex relationships[edit]
Discrimination protections[edit]
An Anti-Discrimination Act was adopted in 2004, in requirement with EU protocols on anti-discrimination in its member states. The Act, broadened in 2008, makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in a wide variety of areas, including employment, education, housing, social care and the provision of goods and services.[2]
In May 2013, the Criminal Code was amended to include sexual orientation as a ground for hate crimes, allowing penalty enhancements where a crime is motivated by homophobia.[3]
Living conditions[edit]
Slovakia's first Gay pride event took place on 22 May 2010 in Bratislava. A crowd of about a thousand was greeted by right-wing groups. While the National and Bratislava's municipal police forces kept the two sides apart, several anti-protesters were able to infiltrate Pride and throw stones at speakers and dispearse tear gas into the crowd. Pride demonstrators had to cancel their march through the city center, but were able to cross the Danube under police protection. Twenty-nine persons were arrested.[4] Gay Pride has since improved its security measures and it has been supported by many foreign embassies.[5]
There is a reasonable gay scene in Slovakia with about ten bars and clubs in Bratislava.[6] A Pew Global Attitudes Project survey recorded that 68% of Slovaks believe that homosexuality should be accepted by society. A European Union poll shows 19% of Slovaks support gay marriage,[7] however, a more recent survey shows that more than 47% of Slovaks would vote in favor of registered partnerships[8] but only in case they didn't provide same-sex couples with adoption rights.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Slovakia - Status of sexual minorities
- ^ Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States Part II: The Social Situation
- ^ Law change criminalises homophobia
- ^ (Slovak) Dúhový pochod stopli extrémisti
- ^ Veľvyslanci podporujú Dúhový Pride
- ^ Gay guide
- ^ Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage
- ^ Tolerancia k homosexuálom sa zvyšuje. Tretina by však s nimi v rodine neoslavovala
