Marriage Equality Comes to Slovenia

Slovenia becomes first Central European country to pass marriage equality  

WASHINGTON - March 3, 2015 –– Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, commended the government of Slovenia for passing legislation that will make it the 21st nation to grant full marriage rights to all of its citizens.

"We commend the elected representatives of Slovenia for passing such historic legislation ensuring the nation's LGBT citizens receive the rights they deserve, and we congratulate the LGBT activists and advocates who helped make this momentous day possible," said Ty Cobb, Director of HRC Global.

Slovenia's national parliament approved the bill by a vote of 51 to 28. The bill will be sent to President Borut Pahor to sign into law.

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark,France, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, as well as England and Wales in the United Kingdom, have marriage equality laws that have gone into effect. In addition, Finland is set to extend full marriage rights to their LGBT citizens in the coming year.

The situation for LGBT people around the world varies widely, as some countries embrace equality, while in others, LGBT people continue to suffer from discrimination, persecution and violence.

• Same-sex conduct is criminalized in 76 countries
• In 10 countries same-sex conduct is punishable by death
• So-called anti-LGBT "propaganda" laws inhibit LGBT advocacy in three countries
• Same-sex marriage licenses are issued nationwide in 21 countries
• In 2014 there were over 200 documented reports of transgender people murdered in 28 countries. There continue to be countless undocumented cases of violence against transgender people throughout the world.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.