| LGBT rights in Slovakia | |
|---|---|
Location of Slovakia (dark green)
– in Europe (light green & dark grey) |
|
| 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.
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Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1962. The age of consent was equalized with the heterosexual age of 15 in 1990.[1]
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]
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]
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