Gay rights in Croatia
Encyclopedia
Lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Croatia may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT
residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Croatia
, but household
s headed by same-gender couples
are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-gender couples.
Croatia
, as a whole, is still considered to be rather conservative
, especially in public reactions regarding lesbian
, gay, bisexual
, transgender
(LGBT
) rights and visibility of LGBT people. In the last few years there has been no mass organized or group violence towards LGBT activism and manifestations, however, hate speech
and severe incidents against LGBT community and individuals occasionally happen. Despite all that there has been a significant improvement in terms of gay rights since the first LGBT pride
in 2002. Republic of Croatia
bans all anti-LGBT discrimination, unregistered cohabitations have been introduced, and more and more politicians and celebrities support LGBT rights, with some decided to go out of the closet
.
was equalised in 1998 when it was specified as 14 by the Croatian Criminal Code. The acts themselves ban "sexual relations with a child" while it is later defined that a child is a person under the age of 14.
Homosexuals are not banned from military service
.
In early 2005, the Parliament
rejected a proposal to allow civil unions. MP Lucija Čikeš, a member of the ruling HDZ
, called for the proposal to be dropped because "all universe is heterosexual, from an atom and the smallest particle, from a fly to an elephant". Another HDZ MP objected on grounds "85% of the population considers itself Catholic and the Church is against heterosexual and homosexual equality". Medical profession, physical profession, and media did not support these statements, warning that all the members of Parliament
have duty to vote according to the Constitution
which bans discrimination. Next parliamentary elections in Croatia
are due to be held on 4 December 2011, and it is very likely that civil union
or recognition of same sex-marriage is going to be introduced if the centre-left coalition made up of SDP
, HNS, IDS
and HSU
wins.
, gender identity
and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in access to public and private services and to establishments serving the public.
Other anti-discrimination directives are included in many acts since 2003:
In 2009, the European Committee on Social Rights found several statements in a Croatian mandatory Biology course textbook, including that “Many individuals are prone to sexual relations with persons of the same sex (..). It is believed that parents are to blame because they impede their children’s correct sexual development with their irregularities in family relations. Nowadays it has become evident that homosexual relations are the main culprit for increased spreading of sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. AIDS)”, or “The disease [AIDS] has spread amongst promiscuous groups of people who often change their sexual partners. Such people are homosexuals because of sexual contacts with numerous partners, drug addicts (..) and prostitutes” to be discriminatory and in violation of Croatia's obligations under the European Social Charter
.
In November 2010 the European Commission's annual progress report on Croatia's candidacy stated that that Croatia's numerous homophobic incidents are worrying since inquisitions need to make further efforts in combating hate crimes. The European Parliament, as stands in its 2010 resolution, expressed "its concern at the resentment against the LGBT minority in Croatia, evidenced most recently by homophobic attacks on participants in the Gay Pride parade in Zagreb; urges the Croatian authorities to condemn and prosecute political hatred and violence against any minority; invites the Croatian Government to implement and enforce the Anti-Discrimination Law”.
parade was charged and convicted to 14 months in prison.
Police arrested a 25-year-old Josip Šitum and charged him with a hate crime
for the incident of the attempted to throw five or six Molotov cocktail
s on Zagreb Pride
in June 2007. This was the first time that someone was indicted for a hate crime since this type of crime was introduced into the Criminal Code in June 2006. Josip Šitum was sentenced by a first instance court to 14 months in prison and 14 months in mandatory psychiatric therapy
in February 2008. In his defense he claimed he is "a Catholic and a believer" and that he is "troubled by events such as Gay Prides and wanted to raise awareness about this problem." The court decided to keep Šitum in custody, where he has been for about eight months, until his ruling is finalized.
State Attorney's Office stated after the conviction that they are displeased with the length of the prison sentence and have asked that it be increased.
On 1st July 2013 new Penal Code will be introduced with the recognition of a hate crime based on a gender identity.
, regular gay/queer parties in Zagreb
, and several gay friendly
or gay safe spaces in the city. The situation is improving, and Croatia
is considered to be relatively progressive in terms of gay rights, especially comparing it to its Eastern and Southern neighbouring countries.
In 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2010 participants in Zagreb Pride
experienced violent public opposition. Some LGBT rights activists criticized government for the lack of punishment of the offenders, and called this a violation of human rights.
Split is also known for an incident at its 2011 gay pride. 10 000 anti-gay protesters threw rocks, tin cans, tomatoes, tear gas and glass bottles at the gay activists. Some of the activists and some reporters were slightly injured in the riot. Marie Cornelissen, a member of the Parliament of Europe, condemned the violent protesters. The activists were lead to safety, and several hundred anti-gay protesters were arrested.
Soon after Split Pride, media led the campaign in a support for LGBT community calling everyone to "march in upcoming Zagreb Pride
". Four days before Zagreb Pride march, organizers met with President Ivo Josipović. In a week after Split Pride, 10th Zagreb Pride
march took place. Around 4000 people marched while many of the bystanders loudly supported the LGBT community. It was the biggest Pride rally in Croatia and took place without any violence. There are major differences in attitudes towards LGBT rights between north and the south of Croatia, where the north is far more liberal and open-minded, whereas the south is more intolerant.
Croatian President Ivo Josipović
provides strong support for full gay rights, along with many other celebrities and centre-left political parties such as SDP
, HNS
, HSLS
, Green List etc. Vesna Pusić
, a member of HNS, is very popular among Croatian LGBTs, and was named a "gay friendly person of the decade" according to the votes from the LGBT
community. A poll in June 2011, showed 38.3% citizens supported gay prides. Furthermore, 51.3% of citizens believe that gay prides should not be banned.
is a major tourist centre and there are places advertised as gay friendly along the Croatian Adriatic coast. Two of the most noted are the islands of Hvar
and Rab
. Rab
is known to be a truly naturist paradise with reports about local people being very gay friendly. Hvar
was listed in the top places to visit for gay tourists. In 2008, Latin American gay couple Jose Armando and Manuel organised their wedding on that very island. A city gay guide for Zagreb has also been released, offering a list of gay and gay friendly places in the city.
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, but household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
s headed by same-gender couples
Same-sex relationship
A same-sex relationship is a relationship between two persons of the same sex and can take many forms, from romantic and sexual, to non-romantic close relationships. The term is mainly associated with gay and lesbian people...
are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-gender couples.
Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, as a whole, is still considered to be rather conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, especially in public reactions regarding lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay, bisexual
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
, transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
(LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
) rights and visibility of LGBT people. In the last few years there has been no mass organized or group violence towards LGBT activism and manifestations, however, hate speech
Hate speech
Hate speech is, outside the law, any communication that disparages a person or a group on the basis of some characteristic such as race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or other characteristic....
and severe incidents against LGBT community and individuals occasionally happen. Despite all that there has been a significant improvement in terms of gay rights since the first LGBT pride
Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride is the annual pride march and LGBTIQ demonstration of Zagreb, Croatia, which first took place in 2002 and now occurs in June of each year, lasting for a few days. Zagreb Pride is the first successful pride march held in the Balkans, just a year after a bloody showdown at 2001 ...
in 2002. Republic of Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
bans all anti-LGBT discrimination, unregistered cohabitations have been introduced, and more and more politicians and celebrities support LGBT rights, with some decided to go out of the closet
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity was legalised in 1977. The age of consentAge of consent
While the phrase age of consent typically does not appear in legal statutes, when used in relation to sexual activity, the age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is considered to be legally competent to consent to sexual acts. The European Union calls it the legal age for sexual...
was equalised in 1998 when it was specified as 14 by the Croatian Criminal Code. The acts themselves ban "sexual relations with a child" while it is later defined that a child is a person under the age of 14.
Homosexuals are not banned from military service
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
.
Recognition of same-sex relationships
There has been legal recognition of same-sex couples, which allows for unregistered cohabitation, since 2003. The law on same-sex civil unions grants same-sex partners of at least 3 years the same rights as enjoyed by unmarried cohabiting opposite sex partners (inheritance, financial support).In early 2005, the Parliament
Parliament of Croatia
The Parliament of Croatia or the Sabor is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and legislature of the country. Under the terms of the Croatian Constitution, represents the people and is vested with the legislative power...
rejected a proposal to allow civil unions. MP Lucija Čikeš, a member of the ruling HDZ
Croatian Democratic Union
The Croatian Democratic Union is the main center-right political party in Croatia. It is the biggest and strongest individual Croatian party since independence of Croatia. The Christian democratic HDZ governed Croatia from 1990 to 2000 and, in partial coalition, from 2003...
, called for the proposal to be dropped because "all universe is heterosexual, from an atom and the smallest particle, from a fly to an elephant". Another HDZ MP objected on grounds "85% of the population considers itself Catholic and the Church is against heterosexual and homosexual equality". Medical profession, physical profession, and media did not support these statements, warning that all the members of Parliament
Parliament of Croatia
The Parliament of Croatia or the Sabor is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and legislature of the country. Under the terms of the Croatian Constitution, represents the people and is vested with the legislative power...
have duty to vote according to the Constitution
Constitution of Croatia
The current Constitution of the Republic of Croatia was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia on December 22, 1990. It replaced the Constitution of 1974 ratified in socialist Yugoslavia...
which bans discrimination. Next parliamentary elections in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
are due to be held on 4 December 2011, and it is very likely that civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
or recognition of same sex-marriage is going to be introduced if the centre-left coalition made up of SDP
Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Social Democratic Party of Croatia , commonly referred to in Croatia as simply Social Democratic Party , is the largest centre-left political party in Croatia...
, HNS, IDS
Istrian Democratic Assembly
The Istrian Democratic Assembly is a Croatian regional and social liberal political party in Istria. The hyphenated abbreviation IDS-DDI is most commonly used....
and HSU
Croatian Party of Pensioners
The Croatian Party of Pensioners is a Croatian political party. It is currently led by Silvano Hrelja.When the Party was founded, few people took it seriously and many commentators speculated that the ultimate purpose of HSU was take away pensioners' votes from rejuvenated SDP and thus help ruling...
wins.
Discrimination issues
The 2008 Anti-Discrimination Law includes sexual orientationSexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
, gender identity
Gender identity
A gender identity is the way in which an individual self-identifies with a gender category, for example, as being either a man or a woman, or in some cases being neither, which can be distinct from biological sex. Basic gender identity is usually formed by age three and is extremely difficult to...
and gender expression as prohibited bases for discrimination in access to public and private services and to establishments serving the public.
Other anti-discrimination directives are included in many acts since 2003:
- Penal Code (includes hate crime legislation and "racial and other discrimination")
- Gender EqualityGender equalityGender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
Law - Law on Science and Higher Studies
- Media Law
- Electronic Media Law (anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression)
- Law on Same-sex Relationships
- Labour Code
- Sport Law
- Asylum Law
- The Law on volunteering (anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression)
In 2009, the European Committee on Social Rights found several statements in a Croatian mandatory Biology course textbook, including that “Many individuals are prone to sexual relations with persons of the same sex (..). It is believed that parents are to blame because they impede their children’s correct sexual development with their irregularities in family relations. Nowadays it has become evident that homosexual relations are the main culprit for increased spreading of sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. AIDS)”, or “The disease [AIDS] has spread amongst promiscuous groups of people who often change their sexual partners. Such people are homosexuals because of sexual contacts with numerous partners, drug addicts (..) and prostitutes” to be discriminatory and in violation of Croatia's obligations under the European Social Charter
European Social Charter
The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996. The Revised Charter came into force in 1999 and is gradually replacing the initial 1961 treaty...
.
In November 2010 the European Commission's annual progress report on Croatia's candidacy stated that that Croatia's numerous homophobic incidents are worrying since inquisitions need to make further efforts in combating hate crimes. The European Parliament, as stands in its 2010 resolution, expressed "its concern at the resentment against the LGBT minority in Croatia, evidenced most recently by homophobic attacks on participants in the Gay Pride parade in Zagreb; urges the Croatian authorities to condemn and prosecute political hatred and violence against any minority; invites the Croatian Government to implement and enforce the Anti-Discrimination Law”.
Hate crimes legislation
Since 2006, the country has had hate crimes legislation covering sexual orientation. This law was first applied in 2007, when a man who violently attacked the Zagreb PrideZagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride is the annual pride march and LGBTIQ demonstration of Zagreb, Croatia, which first took place in 2002 and now occurs in June of each year, lasting for a few days. Zagreb Pride is the first successful pride march held in the Balkans, just a year after a bloody showdown at 2001 ...
parade was charged and convicted to 14 months in prison.
Police arrested a 25-year-old Josip Šitum and charged him with a hate crime
Hate crime
In crime and law, hate crimes occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her perceived membership in a certain social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, social status or...
for the incident of the attempted to throw five or six Molotov cocktail
Molotov cocktail
The Molotov cocktail, also known as the petrol bomb, gasoline bomb, Molotov bomb, fire bottle, fire bomb, or simply Molotov, is a generic name used for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons...
s on Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride is the annual pride march and LGBTIQ demonstration of Zagreb, Croatia, which first took place in 2002 and now occurs in June of each year, lasting for a few days. Zagreb Pride is the first successful pride march held in the Balkans, just a year after a bloody showdown at 2001 ...
in June 2007. This was the first time that someone was indicted for a hate crime since this type of crime was introduced into the Criminal Code in June 2006. Josip Šitum was sentenced by a first instance court to 14 months in prison and 14 months in mandatory psychiatric therapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
in February 2008. In his defense he claimed he is "a Catholic and a believer" and that he is "troubled by events such as Gay Prides and wanted to raise awareness about this problem." The court decided to keep Šitum in custody, where he has been for about eight months, until his ruling is finalized.
State Attorney's Office stated after the conviction that they are displeased with the length of the prison sentence and have asked that it be increased.
On 1st July 2013 new Penal Code will be introduced with the recognition of a hate crime based on a gender identity.
Blood donation issues
According to the regulations of the Croatian institute for transfusions (Hrvatski zavod za transfuzijsku medicinu) homosexuals are banned from donating blood.Living conditions
Acceptance for gay people is growing in the main cities, with the rural areas remaining homophobic. There exists a small gay scene around the country, which is growing rapidly, as well as a number of strong lesbian and LGBTIQ activist groups. There are a few gay clubs in ZagrebZagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, regular gay/queer parties in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, and several gay friendly
Gay friendly
Gay-friendly refers to places, policies, people or institutions that are open and welcoming to gay people to create an environment that is supportive of gay people and their relationships, respectful of all people, treat all people equally, and are non-judgmental...
or gay safe spaces in the city. The situation is improving, and Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
is considered to be relatively progressive in terms of gay rights, especially comparing it to its Eastern and Southern neighbouring countries.
In 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2010 participants in Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride is the annual pride march and LGBTIQ demonstration of Zagreb, Croatia, which first took place in 2002 and now occurs in June of each year, lasting for a few days. Zagreb Pride is the first successful pride march held in the Balkans, just a year after a bloody showdown at 2001 ...
experienced violent public opposition. Some LGBT rights activists criticized government for the lack of punishment of the offenders, and called this a violation of human rights.
Split is also known for an incident at its 2011 gay pride. 10 000 anti-gay protesters threw rocks, tin cans, tomatoes, tear gas and glass bottles at the gay activists. Some of the activists and some reporters were slightly injured in the riot. Marie Cornelissen, a member of the Parliament of Europe, condemned the violent protesters. The activists were lead to safety, and several hundred anti-gay protesters were arrested.
Soon after Split Pride, media led the campaign in a support for LGBT community calling everyone to "march in upcoming Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride is the annual pride march and LGBTIQ demonstration of Zagreb, Croatia, which first took place in 2002 and now occurs in June of each year, lasting for a few days. Zagreb Pride is the first successful pride march held in the Balkans, just a year after a bloody showdown at 2001 ...
". Four days before Zagreb Pride march, organizers met with President Ivo Josipović. In a week after Split Pride, 10th Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride
Zagreb Pride is the annual pride march and LGBTIQ demonstration of Zagreb, Croatia, which first took place in 2002 and now occurs in June of each year, lasting for a few days. Zagreb Pride is the first successful pride march held in the Balkans, just a year after a bloody showdown at 2001 ...
march took place. Around 4000 people marched while many of the bystanders loudly supported the LGBT community. It was the biggest Pride rally in Croatia and took place without any violence. There are major differences in attitudes towards LGBT rights between north and the south of Croatia, where the north is far more liberal and open-minded, whereas the south is more intolerant.
Croatian President Ivo Josipović
Ivo Josipović
Ivo Josipović is a Croatian politician who has been President of Croatia since 2010. Josipović entered politics as a member of the League of Communists of Croatia , and played a key role in the democratic transformation of this party as the author of the first statute of the SDP that replaced the...
provides strong support for full gay rights, along with many other celebrities and centre-left political parties such as SDP
Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Social Democratic Party of Croatia , commonly referred to in Croatia as simply Social Democratic Party , is the largest centre-left political party in Croatia...
, HNS
Croatian People's Party-Liberal Democrats
The Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats is a center-left liberal party in Croatia.HNS currently has 5 representatives in the Croatian Parliament and are the fourth largest political party in Croatia and fourth in the number of representatives if the coalitions are included...
, HSLS
Croatian Social Liberal Party
Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS is a conservative liberal political party in Croatia. The party is a member of Liberal International and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. Its current president is Darinko Kosor, elected to that post in November 2009.-Chronology:The HSLS was...
, Green List etc. Vesna Pusić
Vesna Pusic
Vesna Pusić is a member of Croatian Parliament and one of the main speakers of the opposition Croatian People's Party - Liberal Democrats in the Parliament...
, a member of HNS, is very popular among Croatian LGBTs, and was named a "gay friendly person of the decade" according to the votes from the LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
community. A poll in June 2011, showed 38.3% citizens supported gay prides. Furthermore, 51.3% of citizens believe that gay prides should not be banned.
LGBT Tourism
CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
is a major tourist centre and there are places advertised as gay friendly along the Croatian Adriatic coast. Two of the most noted are the islands of Hvar
Hvar
- Climate :The climate of Hvar is characterized by mild winters and warm summers. The yearly average air temperature is , 686 mm of precipitation fall on the town of Hvar on average every year and the town has a total of 2800 sunshine hours per year. For comparison Hvar has an average of 7.7...
and Rab
Rab
Rab is an island in Croatia and a town of the same name located just off the northern Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea.The island is long, has an area of and 9,480 inhabitants . The highest peak is Kamenjak at 408 meters...
. Rab
Rab
Rab is an island in Croatia and a town of the same name located just off the northern Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea.The island is long, has an area of and 9,480 inhabitants . The highest peak is Kamenjak at 408 meters...
is known to be a truly naturist paradise with reports about local people being very gay friendly. Hvar
Hvar
- Climate :The climate of Hvar is characterized by mild winters and warm summers. The yearly average air temperature is , 686 mm of precipitation fall on the town of Hvar on average every year and the town has a total of 2800 sunshine hours per year. For comparison Hvar has an average of 7.7...
was listed in the top places to visit for gay tourists. In 2008, Latin American gay couple Jose Armando and Manuel organised their wedding on that very island. A city gay guide for Zagreb has also been released, offering a list of gay and gay friendly places in the city.
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal since 1977 |  |
| Equal age of consent since 1998 | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment under Labor laws | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech, hate crime) | |
| Same-sex marriage(s) |  |
| Recognition of same-sex couples | |
| Adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Gays allowed to serve in the military | |
| Right to change sex legally | |
| Access to IVF for lesbians | |
| MSM Men who have sex with men Men who have sex with men are male persons who engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, regardless of how they identify themselves; many men choose not to accept sexual identities of homosexual or bisexual... s allowed to donate blood |
|
| Recognition of sexual orientation and gender identity for asylum request | |
See also
- List of LGBTQ organizations in Croatia
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Croatia
- LGBT rights in EuropeLGBT rights in EuropeLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights are widely diverse in Europe per country. Seven out of the ten countries that have legalised same-sex marriage are situated in Europe; a further fourteen European countries have legalised civil unions or other forms of recognition for same-sex couples...