Slovak National Party introduces anti-LGBTI+ bill in schools
- The Slovak National Party has introduced a bill to ban the promotion of non-traditional sexual orientations in schools.
- The bill has faced criticism from pro-LGBTI+ organizations, which argue it does not address bullying and other issues in education.
- The Education Minister has condemned the SNS's actions as a breach of coalition agreement and a distraction from their own ministry's problems.
Members of the Slovak National Party (SNS) have introduced an anti-LGBTI+ bill aimed at schools, bypassing the Education Minister, Tomáš Drucker. The proposed amendment seeks to define 'non-traditional sexual orientation' and ban its promotion in educational settings, with potential fines for non-compliance. The SNS claims this legislation is necessary to protect children and uphold traditional values as outlined in the Slovak Constitution. However, the initiative has been met with criticism from pro-LGBTI+ organizations, such as Initiative Inakosť, which argue that the bill does not address existing issues within the Slovak education system, including bullying of LGBTI+ youth. The director of Initiative Inakosť, Martin Macko, believes the bill is a distraction from the SNS's internal problems, particularly as two of their ministries are embroiled in political controversies. The Education Minister has expressed disapproval of the SNS's actions, labeling them a breach of the coalition agreement. He emphasized that while he appreciates the SNS's interest in education, they should focus on resolving issues within their own ministries, which are currently facing significant public scrutiny. This proposed legislation mirrors similar laws in Hungary and Bulgaria, which have faced legal challenges from the European Commission. If passed, the SNS's bill could further exacerbate tensions surrounding LGBTI+ rights in Slovakia, potentially leading to increased discrimination and societal division.