On this page, you will find:
- Information on the legal framework concerning LGBTQI+ rights in the Czech Republic
- Information on public attitude and state capacity to protect in the Czech Republic
- Relevant case law
- A list of organisations supporting LGBTQI+ individuals in the Czech Republic
- A list of Country of Origin experts in LGBTQI+ rights
Legal Framework
Homosexuality was decriminalized in the Czech Republic in 1962. The age of consent was equalized in 1990. Anti-discrimination protections were introduced into the National Labour Code in 2001, giving gay soldiers the right to serve openly in the military. Registered partnerships were legalized in 2006.
A law providing access to gender reassignment for trans people is in force, but according to ILGA-Europe, the law includes various requirements that do not meet human rights standards. In particular, gender reassignment requires the termination of the trans person’s existing marriage and forced sterilization.
For more detailed information on the protection of LGBTQI+ rights in the Czech Republic, visit the Czech Republic ILGA World Database.
The 2013 ILGA annual review of LGBTI issues in the Czech Republic refers to a poll conducted by the Public Opinion Research Centre of the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences (CVVM Institute) showing that 75% (compared to 72% in 2011) of Czechs believed in 2013 that same-sex couples should have access to registered partnerships, and 51% supported marriage equality for same-sex couples.
Attitudes vary throughout the country, however, Czeslaw Walek, chairman of the Prague Pride Association stated that “when you’re in Prague, you have the feeling that the LGBT community is accepted, but you have to go outside of Prague to see what life is really like for gays and lesbians who live in a small city and who are afraid to hold their partner’s hand, who are afraid of kissing in public, and who have to be in hiding.”
In December 2010, a court in the Czech Republic allowed into evidence results of ‘phallometric testing,’ a physical test of sexual arousal used in an attempt to determine whether or not asylum seekers claiming to be gay were telling the truth. This type of test is in violation of Article 3 ECHR.
We do not currently list any case law related to LGBTQI+ rights in the Czech Republic. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
No NGO working on LGBTI issues in the Czech Republic is currently listed here, but we welcome suggestions. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
Country of Origin Specialists
No specialist on LGBTI issues in the Czech Republic is currently listed here, but we welcome suggestions. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
Czech Republic Legal Assistance
Find organisations providing legal assistance to refugees in Czech Republic.
Czech Republic COI
Find Czech Republic Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated June 2023