Gay rights in Croatia

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Same-sex relationships

Opposition · Persecution

Violence

Gay rights in Croatia have been encumbered by the following issues:

Contents 1 Legal status 2 Protection based on sexual orientation in law 3 Recognition of same-sex couples 4 Gay life in the country 5 See also

[edit] Legal status

Homosexual sex was legalised in 1977. The age of consent was equalised in 1998. Homosexuals are not banned from military service.

The Croatian institute for transfusions (Hrvatski zavod za transfuzijsku medicinu) permanently rejects men who had sex with other men from donating blood (while drug abuse and HIV are listed as separate causes for rejection).

[edit] Protection based on sexual orientation in law

There exist anti-discrimination law in many acts since 2003:

• Penal Code (2006. Hate crime introduced in Croatia, the first hate crime definition in any European country)
• Gender Equality Law
• Law of Science and Higher Studies
• Media Law
• HRT Law
• Law of Same-sex Relationships
• Labour Code
• Sport Law

[edit] Recognition of same-sex couples

Main article: civil unions in Croatia

There is legal recognition of same-sex couples, which allows for unregistered cohabitation since 2003. The law on same-sex civil unions grants same-sex partners of at least of 3 years the same rights as enjoyed by unmarried cohabiting opposite sex partners (inheritance, financial support).

In early 2006, the parliament rejected a proposal to allow civil unions.

[edit] Gay life in the country

The tolerance for gays is growing in the main cities, while the villages remain prejudiced. There exists a small gay scene, that is rapidly growing and a number of storg activist lesbian and LGBTIQ groups. There is one gay club in Zagreb, two in Rovinj, and several gay-friendly clubs in the rest of the country. The situation is developing in each new year.

In 2002, participants in Zagreb Pride experienced violent public opposition. Some LGBT rights activist criticized the government for lax punishment of offenders, and called this a violation of human rights. Subsequent events in the city have occurred with stronger police protection, and have been free of such incidents.

[edit] See also

• Civil unions in Croatia