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]
Same-sex sexual activity legal?	Legal since 1962, age of consent equalized in 1990
Gender identity/expression	-
Recognition of relationships	No
Adoption	No
Military service	Gays and lesbians allowed to serve
Discrimination protections	Sexual orientation protection since 2002 (see below)

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 atheist and liberal neighbour, the Czech Republic, is more conservative on issues dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

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

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Slovakia

Discrimination protections

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]

Living conditions

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. 29 persons were arrested.^[3] There is a reasonable gay scene in Slovakia with about ten bars and clubs in Bratislava.^[4] A Pew Global Attitudes Project survey recorded that 68% of Slovaks believe that homosexuality should be accepted by society. An additional European Union poll shows 19% of Slovaks support gay marriage.^[5]

See also

	LGBT portal
	Human rights portal
	Slovakia portal

• LGBT rights in Europe
• Same-sex marriage in the European Union

Notes

1. ^ Slovakia - Status of sexual minorities
2. ^ Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States Part II: The Social Situation
3. ^ (Slovak) Dúhový pochod stopli extrémisti
4. ^ Gay guide
5. ^ Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage