Czech Republic needs to catch up on LGBTI rights
Prague was home to a Pride Parade for the ninth time last weekend. Activists drew attention to the fact that the liberalisation of Czech society and the reduction of stigmatisation of LGBTI people have stagnated for several years. Commentators point out why.
Liberal Czechs have a conservative government
It seems that politicians are lagging behind the public mood in the Czech Republic, Hospodářské noviny comments in view of the latest poll results:
“Three out of five Czechs believe gays and lesbians should be able to marry. So one would think Czech society is liberal and open. What speaks less for that conclusion, however, is when a former minister publicly states that 'homosexuality is a great misfortune that no family wishes on its children.' A normal person would consider it a great misfortune if a child dies or suffers from an incurable sickness. ... Registered partnerships have been possible since 2006. But it was only in 2016 that the Constitutional Court allowed gay partners to adopt children. And the law on same-sex marriages was presented to parliament over a year ago.”
The Church must not stir up the people
Denik N finds the stance of the Catholic Church particularly regrettable:
“Aggressive rhetoric paves the way for aggressive behaviour. ... With the rise in the number of homophobic statements by politicians and clerics, the man on the street is growing more and more aggressive. On the Internet people are even calling for those of other sexual orientations to be liquidated. ... In this regard above all the Catholic Church must rethink some of its statements. In line with the Gospel of John: 'In the beginning was the word.'”