Gay Men Blog

If you are visiting this great country and it’s fabulous Adriatic Sea, few things you should know about gay rights.

Legislation
Homosexuality is legal in Croatia. It was decriminalised as early as 1977. According to the Croatian Penal Code [Art. 192, 193], the age of consent is 14 for all, irrespective of sexual orientation. Croatia has [since July 2003], when Sabor [the Croatian parliament] changed a whole bunch of laws and added anti-discrimination clauses, perhaps the most forthcoming and modern laws addressing LGBT persons in East and Central Europe. Croatia actually has better laws protecting rights for LGBT people than some countries in Western Europe. However, even though there are laws protecting LGBT people, [as in many countries] discrimination based on sexual orientation is not rare.
Homosexuals cannot get married in Croatia [yet] but same-sex relationships are recognised in the Law of Same-sex Unions. Croatia has six laws addressing LGBT people and that protect LGBT persons from overt discrimination. Here is a short description of these laws:

1. Penal Code
It is forbidden to produce, sell, import/export or by Internet propagate homophobic material to the wider public in Croatia. People who do so can get imprisoned for up to one year.

2. Labour Law
This law says that discrimination based on sexual orientation is forbidden and that a person cannot be discriminated against or fired from work because of its sexual orientation.

3. Gender Equality Law
This law is above all the other laws except the Constitution. All laws have to be equal and refer to this one. The law says [and this is a quote]: “Any discrimination based on marriage or family status, or sexual orientation is forbidden.”

4. Law of Science and Higher Studies
This law says that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is forbidden and that a person cannot be expelled from college or university because of its sexual orientation. It is also forbidden to discriminate against LGBT persons applying for higher studies at colleges or universities.

5. Media Law
The Media Law states a LGBT person cannot be discriminated against in media or be represented as inferior or disgraced.

6. Law of Same-sex Unions
This law gives same-sex partners of at least three years the same rights as unmarried cohabiting opposite-sex partners, including the right to legal regulation of property [dividing common property after splitting and/or inheritance if the partner should die] and mutual responsibility for financial support. [Partners have to support each other financially for a year after splitting.] To have the right to maintenance and inheritance one have to prove [in front of the Court] that one have been living in a same-sex relationship for three years. One has to call people [friends and/or neighbours] for the proof and this procedure count for unmarried heterosexual couples as well.

Movement
The Croatian LGBT movement are getting stronger for each year and has become a force to count on in society. Croatian LGBT organisations are politically independent; they participate in the public discussion and propose law-changes and new laws.

Organisations
There are three organisations working for LGBT rights in Croatia; Iskorak [Coming Out] – the national gay and lesbian rights organisation, is the largest LGBT organisation in Croatia and gathers people of all sexual orientations. Iskorak has a local branch in Osijek. The head-office is located in Zagreb. Kontra is a lesbian organisation in Zagreb and LORI is another local lesbian organisation situated in Rijeka. Further information such as addresses, telephone and fax numbers are listed in the guide. Please click on the following links to read a short presentation of the organisations: Iskorak, Kontra, LORI

Politics
Croatian LGBT organisations are well organised and ambitious. They co-operate with each other but also with other LGBT organisations in neighbouring countries, Europe and around the world. Croatian LGBT organisations are mainly opposed by right-wing parties and the powerful Catholic Church as well as by smaller Christian associations. However, even though the Catholic Church is influencing the society and has gained more power since the independence and liberation of Croatia [the Church were suppressed during the "Yugoslavian/communist era"], it is not as strong as in some other European Catholic countries. The LGBT organisations in Croatia and the struggle for equal rights are supported my human rights organisations and different women’s groups. The majority of political parties recognises and also partly or entirely support the struggle for LGBT rights. However, the parties’ differences in their view of homosexuality and in which degree LGBT persons should gain rights.

LGBT life
Croatia has undergone great changes since the 1990’s and the life of LGBT persons has been steadily improving since 2000. Still, as a result of homophobia and fear of discrimination, a great number of homosexuals are not open about their sexuality.

Society
In recent years homosexuals have become more visible in the media. Debates with participation from LGBT organisations have been held on national television. Both newspapers and television programmes has focused on gay issues by interviewing gays and lesbians and highlighting annual events such as the Queer Zagreb festival and Zagreb Pride. Many important politicians and political parties, but also persons from the world of entertainment, have officially supported the struggle for an equal society. Even though LGBT organisations are trying to promote LGBT rights by informing and educating the public, a large minority are still not ready to accept LGBT persons because of religion or personal believes. In general, homosexuality is tolerated as long as it’s not obvious. People in bigger cities [Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek] have a largely open-minded attitude towards homosexuality while people in rural areas often view it negatively. The younger generation has, generally speaking, a more open-minded attitude towards LGBT people than older people.

Discrimination
Even though it is not impossible it is unlikely one will see homosexual couples in Croatia kissing in public places or walking down the street holding hands. There are people who could be provoked by such “behaviour” and it could cause some unpleasant reactions. The only place one will see homosexual couples showing affection are probably in gay clubs, saunas or at gay beaches where the atmosphere are relaxed and LGBT people have some privacy. Hate-crimes and violence towards LGBT persons are rare but increasing with the number of LGBT who are coming out publicly. Violence and attacks on homosexuals are usually conducted by neo-nazis and skinheads, most of them teenagers, under influence of alcohol. As in most countries there are cases where LGBT people have been attacked in public places [such as parks or other cruising-areas]. There are active nazi-organisations in the capital city of Zagreb, but also in Split [Croatia's second city], while in smaller towns such organisations are more or less non-existing. Attacks or violence should be reported to the police immediately and if possible, one should also contact Iskorak – the National Croatian LGBT Association.
Croatia is in terms of violence, prejudices and homophobia towards LGBT people an average European country. It is not one of the most “liberal” where LGBT people are granted almost the same rights as heterosexuals, nor is it one of the most intolerant where LGBT persons are suppressed. In terms of legislation Croatia is ahead in this region and attitudes towards LGBT people in society are slowly changing.

LGBT Scene
When visiting Croatia one should have in mind that Croatia is a pretty small European country and has a population of only 4,4 million inhabitants. There are many smaller towns but only one large city – the capital city of Zagreb, which has nearly one million inhabitants [with surroundings] or almost 25% of Croatia’s entire population. The gay scene in Zagreb is growing and you will find some interesting LGBT venues – but expect the numbers to be much smaller than you perhaps are accustomed to. In Zagreb you will find interesting LGBT activities, the only gay club in the country [Global Club] as well as some gay saunas and bars. Also, festivals such as Queer Zagreb and Zagreb Pride are annually being held in the capital. You will also find LGBT organisations and activities in Rijeka and Osijek [both cities with less than 200,000 inhabitants] but outside these cities you will not find the kind of critical mass of LGBT people that would produce a sense of community. So, do not expect to find any official LGBT clubs, bars or cafés outside these cities. In smaller towns and tourist resorts, generally speaking, LGBT people meet in bars, clubs and cafés which are known to be gathering LGBT people and which are gay-friendly but do not specifically count as being gay. There are lot of such places throughout Croatia and the atmosphere in many of them, not all, is relaxed and open-minded towards homosexuals. If you are spending your vacation in a seaside resort you will have the best chance to meet LGBT people by visiting the gay beaches – and there are a lot of them along the amazing Adriatic coast. However, do not expect them to be too crowded. You can also contact an LGBT organisation of your own choice if you wish to get in contact with LGBT activists. In public places LGBT persons tend to act “straight” and therefore hard to “detect” while they’re much more relaxed at the gay beaches. Another way to make new friends in Croatia is through Internet. It is usually very easy to make contact with people in Croatia and when you get a Croatian friend you’ll have a friend for life.

Events
Iskorak and Kontra are annually organising Zagreb Pride. The pride usually starts with the Pride Week [a week of events, exhibitions, workshops and parties for LGBT people] and ends with the annual Zagreb Pride March, which is held last Saturday in June. Another event, which is being held yearly in the capital city, is the Queer Zagreb festival. The Queer Zagreb festival highlights LGBT culture and both festivals [Queer Zagreb and Zagreb Pride] attract local people as well as LGBT people from all around the globe. Queer Zagreb is the largest Queer festival in East and Central Europe. On December 1, the World AIDS day, different activities are being organised by the LGBT organisations in Zagreb, Rijeka and Osijek. Local parties and other events are regularly organised during the year by different organisations and branches.

History [1929-2005]
There are a lot of events that have been taking place in Croatia during history. Events which has either changed attitudes in society towards LGBT people or which have been important for LGBT people and the movement in some other way. However, we have only listed the most important events and dates.

• 1929: After First World War, which ended in 1918 and after being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for hundreds of years, Croatia became a part of the newly created “Kingdom of Serbs, Croatians and Slovenes”. This state, which were a federation of today five independent states in Central and Southeast Europe [Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro and Macedonia], change the name to “Yugoslavia” in 1929. The first Penal Code of “Yugoslavia” was adopted in 1929 and it banned “Lewdness Against the Order of Nature” [anal intercourse] between human beings [Art. 286].
• 1959: In 1959 the federal parliament in Belgrade [Serbia-Montenegro] restricted the offence to homosexual anal intercourse [Art. 186 CC 1952; maximum sentence reduced from 2 to 1 year].

• First half of the 1970’s: The power over penal legislation was decentralised from the federal government to the state governments and provinces. This resulted with Croatia [and Slovenia] decriminalising male homosexuality in 1977. In Croatia the age of consent was set at 18 for homosexuals and 14 for heterosexuals. There were no references to lesbian relationships. [Homosexual relations remained illegal in Serbia until 1994 and in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia until 1996.]

• The end of the 1970’s: The first women’s group, called “Zena i drustvo” ["Women and society"], was founded in Croatia as an independent organisation. Many lesbians joined the organisation and in the beginning of 1980’s they tried, without any larger success, to raise the “lesbian issue” to a higher level. This was the first attempt by lesbians to fight homophobia.
• 1989: A group of women founded the lesbian group “Lila Initiative” as an independent section of the feminist group “Tresnjevka” – a women’s group which had been founded 1986 in Zagreb. “Lila Initiative” was the first lesbian organisation in Croatia effectively fighting homophobia. However, the group lost power in late 1989 and early 1990 as a result of the subversive changes in the society; fall of communism, first democratic elections, declaration of independence from the Yugoslav federation, Serbian military aggression on Croatia which lead to increased nationalism etc.

• 1992: “LIGMA” ["Lezbijska i Gay Muskaraca Akcija/Lesbian and Gay Men Action"], the first organisation gathering both gays and lesbians, was founded in Zagreb. The group manage to issue “Speak Out” – a supplement that was issued together with the popular “Arkzin” magazine. On the initiative of “LIGMA” the first switchboard in Croatia for lesbians were opened the same year. The information-line provided with information and support for lesbians. The activities of LIGMA, however, didn’t reach far beyond the city limits of Zagreb and as a lack of support of the government the group dissolved in 1996.
• June 1997: The first lesbian organisation since “Lila Initiative” was founded in Zagreb. The new organisation was called “Kontra”. On the initiative of “Kontra” a lesbian switchboard called “SOS lesbian line” was opened. The SOS line, which is still working, provides with information and support for lesbians. During the year of 1997 promoting material were realised which urged lesbians to participate in the fight for homophobia.
• 1997: The lesbian group “Because Press”, which aimed to publish texts, books and articles with a LGBT theme in the Croatian language, were formed. The group issued the lesbian fanzine “Just a Girl” and published the first book of Croatian lesbian poetry – “Igre ljubavi i ponosa” [The Games of Love and Pride] – by Sanja Sagasta.
• October 1997: A new Penal Code [Official Gazette/Narodne Novine No. 110/97], which equalised age of consent for both hetero- and homosexuals, were adopted by the Croatian parliament [Sabor]. The age of consent was set at 14 for all, irrespective of sexual preferences [Art. 192, 193 PC]. The idea to change the Penal Code came from university circles and was adopted during the rule of the conservative party Croatian Democratic Union [HDZ]. The modified law became effective on January 1, 1998.
• 1999: The first gay club in Croatia, “BadBoy”, opened at Ksaver Street in Zagreb. [The club closed in 2001]. Following year the first gay club outside Zagreb opened in Nova Gradiska – a small town in eastern Croatia. The club were called Cameleon-sTuDiO69 and closed in 2001.

• October 19, 2000: LORI, Lezbijska Organizacija Rijeka [Lesbian Organisation Rijeka] was founded in Croatia’s third city Rijeka. This was the first LGBT organisation officially registered outside the capital city of Zagreb.
• January 12, 2002: Iskorak [Coming Out] – Group for promotion and protection of different sexual orientations were founded in Zagreb.
• June 2002: The first LGBT Pride ever in Croatia was held in Zagreb. Approximately 200-300 persons participated in the first Pride March through the streets of downtown Zagreb. Also representatives from different political parties [such as the country's Interior Minister in 2002, Sime Lucin - Social Democratic Party] and world of entertainment attended the Pride. During the Pride Week visitors could watch films with an LGBT theme, participate in different cultural events and have a gay time.
• August 2002: The lesbian organisation LORI launched a campaign called “Ljubav je ljubav” [Love is Love] and large posters with different messages showing lesbian couples were set up through out Croatia. Also a TV spot, showing LGBT people in different situations in life, were produced.
• April 25-30, 2003: Queer Zagreb, a cultural queer festival [the biggest of its kind in East and Central Europe] were organised for the first time in Zagreb.
• June 2003: Sabor [the Croatian parliament] recognised homosexual couples by adopting the Law of Same-sex Relationships. The parliament also modified a whole bunch of laws and added anti-discrimination clauses. These changes, which addressed LGBT peoples rights in Croatia, made the Croatian legislation the most modern and protective in East and Central Europe.
• June 2003: The second Zagreb Pride were organised in the capital city.
• April 23-30, 2004: Second Queer Zagreb festival were organised.
• June 2004: The third Zagreb Pride were organised.

Courtesy of touristinfo.gay.hr