The newly passed constitutional amendments would recognize only two genders and ban same-sex adoption…
At the Bratislava City Museum in Slovakia’s capital, is a rainbow coloured stone known as the “Foundation Stone of Equal Rights For All.” It’s an artwork by Peter Tirpák, originally placed at the site of a terrorist attack in the city that left two young queer people dead.
The description for the piece reads in part “…this stone represents not only the presence of LGBTQI people in this city or country, it is a symbol of their efforts to achieve equal status, and above all it carries the message of humanity and democracy that represent the fundamental pillars of our society.”
While the artwork presents hope, Slovakia has now entered “dark days” according to LGBTQI+ activists. The current Slovak government has passed new anti-LGBTQI+ law that does not acknowledge the presence of certain individuals and steps back on the hopes for equal rights.
What is the new law in Slovakia?
Slovakia’s National Council has introduced new laws to protect “traditional values.” The populist government, headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico, has argued that liberal ideology was “spreading like cancer” in the country.
Fico’s government, which is a coalition, required 90 votes in the 150-seat council to make the constitutional amendments. The coalition only controls 78 seats, but 12 opposition MPs sided with the government giving it the majority needed.
With the vote, Slovakia will now recognize only two genders, male and female. This law will exclude individuals who are trans, intersex or non-binary.
The country has also essentially made it impossible for same-sex couples to adopt, permitting the right to heterosexual couples only. There is also a ban on surrogacy.
What are critics saying about Slovakia’s new laws?
In a statement, Amnesty International Slovakia called the vote devastating. “Today is another dark day for Slovakia, which is already facing a series of cascading attacks on human rights and the rule of law,” the statement reads in part. “The situation of marginalized groups in Slovakia – including LGBTQI people – is already dire. These amendments rub salt into the wound.”
The statement says Slovakia has followed other countries, like Hungary, by enacting policies to erode human rights. Hungary banned LGBTQI+ public gatherings earlier this year in an effort to ‘protect children.’ In opposition of the ban, thousands globally showed up for a massive Pride protest in Budapest this past June.
“Instead of attacking human rights, the authorities should address the lack of legal protection for all families, marriage equality, and the rights of transgender and non-binary people, including access to health care and legal gender recognition.”
The new laws are another example of a country rolling back the rights of LGBTQI+ people, moving them further away from equality.
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