Participation Opportunities: Perspectives for Inclusion of Marginalized Groups Ljubljana (Hotel City Turist), November 06-08, 2003
Presentation:
Legal Status and Human Rights of LGBT Citizens in Slovenia by Tatjana Greif, M.A. (Lesbian Section SKUC-LL, Slovenia)
After the independence of Slovenia in 1991 certain legal provisions were adopted providing protection against different forms of discrimination. However, there is still a high level of violations against human rights of individual citizens and social minorities, based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The public opinion on LGBT issues is negative, with hostile responses ranging between 42 % and 62 % of respondents for polls taken during the 1990’s. The negative attitudes are often supported with homophobic media reporting. In general, the level of social intolerance and homophobia is rather high.
In 2001 lesbian NGO SKUC-LL conducted a research into sexual orientation discrimination.
The findings of the survey, also presented in the European Parliament in June 2001, were very disturbing; 49 % of respondents had experienced violence or harassment based on their sexual orientation. Over 20 % of respondents reported about discrimination at workplace.
Discrimination was also documented in heath services, access to housing, military, etc.
Obviously, an important aspect of discrimination for LGBT in Slovenia is the absence of any form of legal recognition for same-sex partners. Same-sex partners are not protected by law and consequently, there is a high level of discrimination against gays and lesbians and their children in many legal and social aspects. Our survey (in cooperation with Ministry of Family) about the status of same-sex partners conducted in 2003 indicated that 77 % of questioned LGBT would register their same-sex union if it were legally permitted. 87 % of respondents expressed the opinion that their human rights are being violated.
In public school and education system the issue of homosexuality and human rights of LGBT is completely ignored. In this way, children and young people are denied the right to relevant information.
Contact information:
Lesbian Section SKUC-LL Metelkova 6
Ljubljana, Slovenija
Tel. +386 1 432 73 68 & fax 232 91 85 sekcijaskuc@mail.ljudmila.org
www.ljudmila.org/lesbo
