Gay rights in Slovenia

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The lesbian and gay movement has been active in Slovenia since 1984, when MAGNUS, the gay section at ŠKUC (Students Cultural Centre, Ljubljana), was founded as the "Cultural Organisation for Socialisation of Homosexuality." A pro-lesbian femnininst group, Lilit, was started in 1985, followed in 1987 by LL, a lesbian group within ŠKUC. In 1990 Magnus and LL founded the national lesbian and gay campaigning organisation, Roza klub.

Under the Penal Code of 30 June 1959 male homosexual acts were illegal in all of (now former) Yugoslavia. During the first half of the 1970s the power over penal legislation was devolved from the Federal Republic to the eight states and provinces. A new penal code that decriminalised homosexual sex was passed in 1976 and came into force in 1977. All discriminatory provisions were removed. There were no references to lesbian relationships in the old legislation.

Homosexuals are not prevented from serving in the army. "In some cases when individuals stated they're gay and that they don't want to serve they have been either excused or were suggested civil service." (Ales Pecnik, 14 April 99)

[edit] Rights of same-sex couples

Civil unions for same-sex couples have been legal since July 23 2006. See Civil unions in Slovenia.

[edit] Gay life in the country

A Eurobarometer survey published on December 2006 showed that 31% of Slovenians surveyed support same-sex marriage and 17% recognise same-sex couple's right to adopt (EU-wide average 44% and 33%). [1]