Slovak Parliament votes to erase trans and non-binary identities
– 1 min read
The Slovak Parliament has voted to enshrine a strict binary definition of gender -male and female - into the country’s Constitution. The amendment, passed with 90 votes in favour and seven against in the 150-seat chamber, marks a significant regression in LGBTQ+ rights in the Central European nation.
The constitutional change, championed by nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico, also restricts adoption rights to married heterosexual couples and asserts Slovakia’s sovereignty over cultural and ethical matters, placing national law above European Union legislation in these domains.
The amendment defines sex as determined at birth and states it cannot be changed except under “serious reasons” to be defined by law. This effectively erases legal recognition for trans, non-binary, and intersex individuals, making future progressive reforms nearly impossible.
Today is another dark day for Slovakia, which is already facing a series of cascading attacks on human rights and the rule of law.
Amnesty International Slovakia has labelled the changes “draconian,” warning they will “deal a devastating blow to gender equality, human rights and the rule of law.” Rado Sloboda, the organisation’s director, said: "This is devastating news. Today is another dark day for Slovakia, which is already facing a series of cascading attacks on human rights and the rule of law."
The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission also expressed concern, cautioning that the constitutional entrenchment of a binary gender model could lead to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Michal Šimečka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, called the vote “shameful” and warned it would “hurt the people of Slovakia and call into question Slovakia’s place in the EU and its legal space”.
Thousands have taken to the streets in recent months to protest the Fico government’s increasingly authoritarian stance, which includes crackdowns on media freedom and cultural institutions. Critics say the constitutional changes are part of a broader rollback of civil liberties and democratic norms.
