page_title: LGBT rights in Slovakia
section_title: Living conditions
hierarchical_section_title: LGBT rights in Slovakia / Living conditions
caption_attribution_description: English: March at the LGBT Pride festival Duhovy PRIDE Bratislava 2012, in Bratislava, Slovakia. Slovenčina: Pochod súčasťou LGBT festivalu Dúhový PRIDE Bratislava 2012. Bratislava, Slovensko.
context_page_description: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people 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. While Slovakia grants same-sex couples limited legal rights, namely in the area of inheritance, the country does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions. Slovakia, unlike its neighbour, the Czech Republic, holds more conservative views on issues dealing with LGBT rights.
  Slovakia possesses comprehensive anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity, among others, in areas such as employment, goods and services, education, health services, hate crimes and hate speech. Gays and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly in the Slovak Armed Forces. Additionally, attitudes towards members of the LGBT community are slowly becoming more accepting, in line with worldwide trends.
context_section_description: Slovakia's first gay pride event took place on 22 May 2010 in Bratislava. A crowd of about a thousand were confronted by anti-gay right-wing groups. While the National and Bratislava's municipal police forces kept the two sides apart, several anti-gay protesters were able to infiltrate the event and throw stones at speakers and disperse 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. Twenty-nine persons were arrested. The event has since improved its security measures and it has been supported by many foreign embassies.
  There is a small gay scene in Slovakia with a few bars and clubs in Bratislava.
caption: Bratislava Pride parade in 2012
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