LGBT rights in Slovakia

Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1962, after scientific research from Kurt Freund led to the conclusion that homosexual orientation may not be changed (see the history of penile plethysmograph). The age of consent was equalized in 1990 (to 15; it had previously been 18 for homosexuals).[5][6]

There is no legal recognition of same-sex unions in Slovakia. On 4 June 2014, the Slovak Parliament approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, with 102 deputies for and 18 deputies against the legislation.[7]

In 2018, the Freedom and Solidarity party prepared a bill to legalise registered partnerships, which would have granted same-sex couples some of the benefits and responsibilities of marriage. President Andrej Kiska has called for more discussion on this issue.[8] The proposal failed in September 2018.[9]

In June 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that EU members states must grant married same-sex couples, where at least one partner is an EU citizen, full residency rights. Slovak officials quickly announced compliance with the ruling.[10]

Since 2018, Slovak law has recognised a "close person", defined as a sibling or a spouse; a family member or a person in a relationship shall be considered under law a "close person" "if an injury suffered by one of them is reasonably felt by the other person as an injury suffered by him or her." Only limited rights are granted, namely in the area of inheritance.[1][2]

Slovak law allows any person to adopt. However, persons who are not married to each other may not adopt the same child. This means that for unmarried couples only one partner may adopt a child.

The Anti-Discrimination Act (Slovak: Antidiskriminačný zákon) was adopted in 2004, in requirement with European Union protocols on anti-discrimination in its member states. The Act, broadened in 2008, made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and "gender identification" in a wide variety of areas, including employment, education, housing, social care and the provision of goods and services.[11] Article 2 of the law reads as follows:[12]

Adherence to the principle of equal treatment shall lay in the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex, religion or belief, race, nationality or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital or family status, colour, language, political affiliation or other conviction, national or social origin, property, lineage or any other status or on grounds of reporting of crime or any other wrongdoing.

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.[13] Additionally, hate speeches on the basis of sexual orientation are outlawed.[3]

Transgender people in Slovakia have been allowed to change legal gender since 1995, but require undergoing sex reassignment surgery and sterilization, divorce if married, and receive a medical diagnosis to do so.[3]

Gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood, provided they haven't had sex in a year.[14]

Bratislava Pride parade in 2012

Slovakia's first gay pride event took place on 22 May 2010 in Bratislava. A crowd of about a thousand were confronted by anti-gay right-wing groups. While the National and Bratislava's municipal police forces kept the two sides apart, several anti-gay protesters were able to infiltrate the event and throw stones at speakers and disperse 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.[15] The event has since improved its security measures and it has been supported by many foreign embassies.[16]

There is a small gay scene in Slovakia with a few bars and clubs in Bratislava.[17]

A 2006 European Union poll showed that 19% of Slovaks supported same-sex marriage,[18] however, a 2015 survey found that more than 50.4% of Slovaks would vote in favor of same-sex registered partnerships.[19]

A 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project survey recorded that 66% of Slovaks believed that homosexuality should be accepted by society.[20]

A 2016 opinion poll conducted by FOCUS found that 27% of Slovaks supported same-sex marriage.[21]

In 2017, the Iniciatíva Inakosť conducted a survey enquiring into the lives of Slovak LGBT people. The survey found that 52% were irreligious, while 33% were Roman Catholics, 6% were Evangelicals and 2% were Greek Orthodox. However, 56.5% considered religion "important" in their lives. When divided by political ideology, 58.5% considered themselves either "very liberal" or "liberal". Only 2.5% considered themselves "conservative", and 18% said they were "centrist". Freedom and Solidarity and Progressive Slovakia were the most popular political parties among LGBT people. With regards to coming out, most respondents said it had been "positive". 71% and 52% of sisters and brothers respectively were accepting of their coming out. 54% of mothers, 42% of fathers and 49.5% of grandparents responded the same, and a significant number (including 28.5% of fathers and 29% of grandparents) were indifferent. Furthermore, 78% of respondents considered their relationship with their partner as "serious", but less than half were willing to hold their hand in public. However, many respondents reported low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse and suicidal feelings and nearly 40 percent of the respondents have experienced discrimination because they are LGBT, 15.2 percent experiencing it in the last year.

Čítajte viac: https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20828161/the-biggest-survey-showed-the-lives-of-lgbt-people.html[22]

According to a 2017 Pew Research Center poll, 47% of Slovaks supported same-sex marriage, while another 47% were opposed and 6% were undecided. This was the highest level of support ever recorded, and the second highest among Eastern European countries, behind the Czech Republic at 65%. Among 18-34-year-olds, opposition to same-sex marriage was 42%.[4]

• LGBT rights in Europe
• LGBT rights in the European Union