Rainbow Pride Bratislava 2016 (source: SME)
President Andrej Kiska is calling for a public discussion on the enactment of legal protection for same-sex couples after meeting representatives of the Inakosť initiative on Monday, December 11.
“The upshot of this [the discussion] should be the introduction of specific measures to do away with the greatest obstacles faced by them,” said Kiska in reference to LGBTI people, as cited by the TASR newswire.
Kiska is convinced that it would serve the public interest to ameliorate the needless obstacles and problems faced by LGBTI couples in their everyday lives.
“The legal system is often quite literally cruel to these couples in their normal personal affairs, for example, leaving them unable to act on some issues such as informing themselves about their partner’s health or in practical housing-related issues, inheritance, etc.,” said Kiska.
The president voiced his understanding that the issue stirred up heated emotions three years ago and invited hatred into society with respect to an invalid referendum on the family.
“Unfortunately, this has resulted in the termination of any rational efforts to provide at least a minimal standard of legal protection for individuals living in relationships outside of wedlock,” said Kiska. “Of course, I’m talking about a standard that would respect the current valid constitutional protection extended to the institution of marriage.”
The President urged society to return to a discussion that should be led in a humane fashion and in a climate of mutual respect.
Initiative head, Martin Macko, praised the interest displayed by the head of state on the LGBTI issue.
“LGBTI people have the same problems, values and joys as everyone else but with the additional burden that the state doesn’t grant any recognition to their relationships,” Macko pointed out.
