LGBT rights in Slovakia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people 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. While Slovakia grants same-sex couples limited legal rights, namely in the area of inheritance, the country does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions. Slovakia, unlike its neighbour, the Czech Republic, holds more conservative views on issues dealing with LGBT rights.
Slovakia possesses comprehensive anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity, among others, in areas such as employment, goods and services, education, health services, hate crimes and hate speech. Gays and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly in the Slovak Armed Forces. Additionally, attitudes towards members of the LGBT community are slowly becoming more accepting, in line with worldwide trends.
A 2007 poll showed that two-thirds of Slovaks believe that homosexuality should be accepted by society, while another Pew Research Center poll from 2017 showed evenly split support for same-sex marriage. Opinion polls have reported a trend in support for same-sex marriage and civil unions, with a majority of Slovaks now favouring the latter, and a narrow plurality favouring full marriage.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
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. The age of consent was equalized in 1990.Recognition of same-sex relationships
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.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. The proposal failed in September 2018.
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.
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.
Adoption and family planning
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.Discrimination protections
The Anti-Discrimination Act 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. Article 2 of the law reads as follows: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. Additionally, hate speeches on the basis of sexual orientation are outlawed.
Gender identity and expression
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.Blood donation
Gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood, provided they haven't had sex in a year.Living conditions
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. The event has since improved its security measures and it has been supported by many foreign embassies.There is a small gay scene in Slovakia with a few bars and clubs in Bratislava.
Public opinion and demographics
A 2006 European Union poll showed that 19% of Slovaks supported same-sex marriage, however, a 2015 survey found that more than 50.4% of Slovaks would vote in favor of same-sex registered partnerships.A 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project survey recorded that 66% of Slovaks believed that homosexuality should be accepted by society.
A 2016 opinion poll conducted by FOCUS found that 27% of Slovaks supported same-sex marriage.
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 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
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%.