Marriage and LGBTQ+ Rights in Czechia – Where Are We Heading?

The Czech Republic remains one of the few EU countries where same-sex couples still don't have access to marriage equality, despite public support consistently hovering around 65%. In the current political climate, the risk of a constitutional ban on marriage equality is growing.

Public service media also play a significant role. Their independence determines whether LGBTQ+ rights make it into the mainstream conversation or not.

We continue to face attacks on queer people from the highest levels of politics. This autumn brings Senate elections, which present a concrete opportunity. The Senate can be a key ally – or an obstacle – on the path toward legislative change, including constitutional amendments.

What changes can we expect in the status of LGBTQ+ people in Czechia during this election period? Will they be for the better, or should we fear losing what has already been achieved? And how does the broader political situation – with wide-ranging debates about changes to public service media rules or the standing of non-profit organizations – affect the position of LGBTQ+ people?

The panel Tobiáš Frýdl – a production student at FAMU who comes from the family of a pastor in the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. The intersection of faith and non-heterosexual orientation has long been of interest to him – and touches him personally. He is the author of the project Víra v barvách duhy (Faith in Rainbow Colors), which has attracted significant public attention.

Zora Hesová – a political scientist at the Institute of Political Science at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, and at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences. She has long focused on the development of the status of LGBTQ+ people in Czech society in relation to disinformation. She also works on religious movements and secularism.

Moderated by Pavlína Horáková – who conducts interviews for Prostor X and previously hosted the news show Epicentrum on Blesk.cz. She prides herself on asking specific, in-depth questions, chasing down arguments, while still giving guests space to speak (but not too much).

Admission – free

Accessibility – suitable for teens, wheelchair accessible

Vibe check – requires interaction with the audience or other attendees, seating available, indoor venue

Organized by – Jsme fér Jsme fér is an initiative working for full equality of LGBT people, couples and families with children in Czechia. Although we've come a long way since the revolution, marriage for gay and lesbian couples is still not enshrined in law. We think it's time to change that. Marriage equality has already been enacted in 39 countries across six continents, home to over 1.4 billion people combined. The civilizational collapse warned about by opponents has occurred in none of them. That's why we believe the time has come to legalize marriage for all Czechs as well. The Jsme fér initiative is backed by Amnesty, Logos Česká republika, Mezipatra, Prague Pride and Queer Geography.