Say it loud! Say it proud!

Even after 30+ years of democracy in Slovakia, LGBTI+ people continue to experience discrimination in their daily life. The root causes are multiple, chief amongst which the 40+ years period of communism during which LGBTI+
people were invisible, and the current religious climate. The result is that Slovakia is the most homophobic country of the Visegrad countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary).

According to a 2020 survey of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, more than 70 percent of LGBTI+ Slovakians are masking their sexual orientation and gender identity in public. Nearly 80 percent of respondents avoid holding hand with their partner in public space out of fear of being attacked, threatened or harassed. Nearly every second LGBTI person feels discriminated in all areas in Slovakia.

The Košice PRIDE Festival 2022 will be held from the 20th to the 28th of august. It aims to promote acceptance and solidarity towards LGBTI+ people and their families with this free festival, via diverse artistic activities as well as discussions with renowned human rights organisations and other interesting guests. The goal is to increase of acceptance of LGBTI+ people and to find solutions for the long-term discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in Slovakia in various areas of live, including a lack possibility to marry and access to necessary health care.