1. Slovakia

2. A bit of history Since 1918 – part of the Czechoslovak Republic
After 1948 – Communist‘s coup, member of Eastern bloc
1962 – decriminalised
Still used to blackmail people
1990 – equalized age of consent

3. More recent history
Since creation of independent Slovakia several active LGb...(t) organisations
2001 first attempt for legalisation of same-sex relationships (registered partnership)
2004 Antidiscirimination law
2008 gender and sexual orientation were added
2010 first Pride in Bratislava
2014 constitutional definition of marriage as a unique uninon between one man and one woman
2015 referendum „on family“

5. Slovakia now EU member since 2004
rather Christian country BUT after 40 years of Communism
No legal recognition for percieved „same sex“ couples
Transgender people: obligatory sterilisation and divorce
Intersex: medical consilium decides the babys sex

6. Overview of LGBT+ organisations / initiatives
Gay Christians – social gatherings for religious (mostly Christians)
Iniciatíva Inakosť – lobby, advocacy
Filmový festival inakosti – queer film festival
Q-centrum – community and counselling centre
Tepláreň – queer / gay parties
Diversity PRO – diversity / LGBT in workplace
Lotosové kvety / LGBT Workout – sports groups
Saplinq – development of LGBT+ activists
Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava – in the capital, since 2010
Košice PRIDE – second biggest city, since 2013
Transfúzia – advocacy, counselling, community for trans people
BiCentrum – online resource centre for bi/non-binary people
Nomantinels – queer theatre
Inokraj – LGBT group in central Slovakia
QYS Magazine – printed and online magazine with LGBT topics
... And probably some others

7. Saplinq
Est. 2012
Mission: to build an established LGBT+ community, support LGBT+ initiatives, educate future LGBT+ leaders, build and expand networks of LGBT+ activists in Slovakia and unite them with activists from across Europe
3 programmes: Trainings, PRIDE Košice, Community and counselling center PRIZMA
1 staff, 2-3 contractors, small pool of trainers

8. Košice PRIDE
Est. 2013
Doubling the amount of participants from 20 to 350
Decline of violence
FB & website
Sun, fun and unicorns

11. Challenges Who are we? Who is our target group?
Struggling to engage broader community / build community and respond to its needs
Turning volunteers into activists
Funding

12. Saplinq education projects
NAOMIE – skills for human rights educators / trainers
Peer2Share/Sharing is Caring – sharing and networking event
Anti-bias approach in local youth work
Drama Queens – theatre of the oppressed for LGBT+ youth workers

13. Thank you for your attention 