The Czech Republic is considered one of the most liberal Central Europe countries in regards to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights. In 2006 it legalized registered partnerships (registrované partnerství) for same-sex couples.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized 1962. The age of consent was equalized in 1990 (to 15 – it had previously been 18 for homosexuals). The Army doesn't question the sexual orientation of soldiers, and allows homosexuals to serve openly. Homosexual prostitution was decriminalized in 1990.
Recognition of same-sex relationships
There is some legal recognition of same-sex couples. Unregistered cohabitation has been possible since 2001. The Czech Republic has granted "persons living in a common household" inheritance and succession rights in housing.
A bill legalizing registered partnership, with some of the rights of marriage, was rejected four times, in 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2005. However, on 16 December 2005 a new registered partnership bill was passed by the Czech House of Representatives; it was also adopted by the Senate on 26 January 2006, but later vetoed by the President. On 15 March 2006 the President's veto was overturned by the House of Representatives and the law came into force on 1 July 2006. Since this date, the Czech Republic allows registered partnerships for same-sex couples, with most of the rights of marriage.
Discrimination protections
Since 1999, sexual orientation has been treated as a private matter, technically not grounds for discrimination in the military. The 2001 national Labour Code also provides anti-discrimination protection on the basis of sexual orientation, in line with European Union guidelines.
Living conditions
In contrast to the limitations of the communist era, the Czech Republic has become socially relatively liberal since the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and is one of the more gay-friendly countries in the European Union. This increasing tolerance is probably helped by the low levels of religious belief in the country, particularly when compared to its neighbours to the north and east, Poland and Slovakia.
There is a comparatively large gay community in Prague, less so in the rest of the country, with the capital acting as a magnet for the country’s gay youth. The city has a large and well-developed gay nightlife scene, particularly centred around the district of Vinohrady, with at least 20 bars and clubs and 4 saunas. Gay venues are much more sparsely spread in other Czech towns however.
Prague also holds an annual Gay and Lesbian Film festival known as Mezipatra which has been held every November since 2000.
As a sign of growing confidence within the gay community, plans have been drawn up for a first Prague Gay Pride to take place in summer 2011. There has never previously been a gay pride in the Czech capital although in 2008 a small Queer festival took place in the country’s second city of Brno The event was also held in 2009 and 2010, the 2010 event passing with only small protests, after the police were heavily criticized for violence at the 2009 event. The event attracted some negative responses from Christian groups and the far right with skinheads verbally attacking the participants leading to its early curtailment.
Late 2010 saw the introduction of the first officially produced gay guide and map for the Czech capital which was produced by the Prague Information Service, under the aegis of Prague city council.
Public opinion
In 2004 public opinion showed a strong level of support for registered partnerships for same sex couples, with 60% agreeing with such a law. By 2006 the Eurobarometer showed that 52% of Czechs supported full same-sex marriage (above the EU average of 44%) while 39% supported same-sex adoption.
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