A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 1

post address: P.O. Box 15, 810 00 Bratislava 1, Slovak Republic
e-mail: [email protected]
www.inakost.sk
ANNUAL REPORT
2011
registračné údaje: Iniciatíva Inakosť, Ľudovíta Fullu 3, 841 05 Bratislava
občianske združenie zaregistrované Ministerstvom vnútra Slovenskej republiky pod č. VVS/1-900/90-28830
IČO: 37 995 545, DIČ: 2022247711
bankové spojenie: Tatra banka, a. s., č. ú.: 2622805582/1100
CONTENT
1. BASIC DATA
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2. BOARD MEMBERS ....................................................................
3. MISSION AND GOALS
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3
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4. ACTIVITY REPORT .........................................................................................
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5. OTHERS ABOUT US
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6. ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT
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1. BASIC DATA
1.1. NAME:
Iniciatíva Inakosť
1.2. SEAT:
Ľudovíta Fullu 3, 841 05 Bratislava
1.3.
ID No.: 37 995 545
1.4.
Tax number: 2022247711
1.5.
LEGAL STATUS:
Civic association registered by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
under the no. VVS/1-900/90-28830.
1.6.
CONTACTS:
Postal address: P.O. Box 15, 810 00 Bratislava 1
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel.: 0903/205480
www.inakost.sk
Bank account no.: 2622805582/1100
2. BOARD MEMBERS
MANAGEMENT BOARD:
ADVISORY BOARD:
Ján Benec, chairman
Eva Adámková, chairperson
Július Kolenič, member
Ivo Slávka, member
Martin Macko, member
Miroslav Žemlička, member
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3. MISSION AND GOALS
3.1.
MISSION:
The mission of the association is to protect the human rights and fundamental
freedoms of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals (hereinafter “minority”)
and to represent the minority in interactions with state and regional government
authorities as its official representative. The association aims to point out and
eliminate discrimination of the minority in our society.
3.2.
GOALS:
Passing of a legislative measure concerning the cohabitation of samesex persons.
Enforcement and protection of minority interests in majority society.
Development of civil society by various forms of socio-cultural activity
expanding citizen awareness in accordance with the Constitution of
the Slovak Republic and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Editorial and publication activities, primarily:
a) Support of publication, purchasing and editing of various
publications, anthologies, educational materials etc.,
b) Preparation of radio and television broadcasts, publishing of
websites in cooperation with Slovak and international partners
Awareness-building and educational activities, primarily:
a) Educational activities for schools, citizens, state and regional
authorities, entrepreneurs and other entities,
b) Organisation of courses, seminars, conferences, cultural, artistic,
sport and social events etc.
c) Support of participation in educational, cultural, artistic, sport and
social events etc.,
d) Support of study stays, scholarships and visits of schools and
educational institutions.
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4. ACTIVITY REPORT
4.1. The Berlin-Yogyakarta Project: Victims of the Holocaust included gays and
lesbians
27 January is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, when we remember
the millions of people murdered by the Nazis, including 6 million Jews and
thousands of gays and lesbians as well. On this occasion Iniciatíva Inakosť
organised an exhibition, discussion and film screenings as part of the BerlinYogyakarta Project.
In addition to the Jews, the Nazis also systematically persecuted and murdered
other groups on racial or ideological grounds. Their targets included political
opponents, Romanies, Jehovah's Witnesses, people with mental or physical
disabilities, as well as LGBT people. In Berlin, San Francisco and Amsterdam, nonheterosexual victims of Nazism have already been commemorated by
memorials, but in Slovakia they are almost unknown.
Thus in cooperation with its partners Iniciatíva Inakosť introduced the BerlinYogyakarta Project in Slovakia, which points out the Nazi persecution of nonheterosexuals, pays tribute to its victims and shows how the international
standards of human rights are applied nowadays. The project consisted of a
touring exhibition, film screenings and discussions.
The Nazi era is an example of where and how far hatred of human diversity and
prejudice can lead. The Berlin-Yogyakarta Project intends to keep Slovaks from
forgetting the tragedy of the Holocaust and to prepare us all to rise up against
the racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia around us also today.
The Berlin-Yogyakarta Project in Slovakia was realised under the auspices of
Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights and National Minorities,
Mr Rudolf Chmel, and Ombudsman of the Slovak Republic, Mr Pavol Kandráč.
Ombudsman Kandráč commented: ”I decided to sponsor the project/exhibition
because I consider it to be one of the ways to familiarize people with the life of
non-heterosexual people during times of fascist expansion and its culmination –
the start of the Second World War. It was time when human rights and freedoms
were grossly violated, including those of non-heterosexual people, whose rights I
view in the light of their emphasis in important international documents and the
Constitution of the Slovak Republic.”
The Berlin-Yogyakarta travelling exhibition started with a preview on 11 February
in OPEN Gallery in Bratislava and lasted until 15 March 2011.
Events accompanying the exhibition included:
- public discussion (11 February at 7:00 p.m. Open Gallery)
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- public listening of a radio adaptation of Mark Ravenhill’s play “Faust (Faust is
Dead)” (22 March, Open Gallery)
- screening of the film "Bent" (8 February, VŠMU-Svoradova 2)
- screening of the film "Paragraf 175" (25 February at 7:00 p.m., OPEN Gallery)
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The Berlin-Yogyakarta Project in Slovakia is organised by Iniciatíva Inakosť and
realised with the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, while the project
was originally developed by the Polish organisation KPH (Kampania Przeciw
Homofobii/The Campaign Against Homophobia). Its partners in Bratislava are
Filmový festival inakosti (The Slovak Queer Film Festival), the Open Society
Foundation and the Polish Institute.
4.2. Radičová’s government discriminates against the minority – another
betrayal by homophobic politicians
11.3.2011 Iniciatíva Inakosť strongly protested against the decision of the Slovak
government to remove the Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Rights from the proposed Statute of the Government Council of the
Slovak Republic for Human Rights, National Minorities and Gender Equality. The
abridged version of the approved statute deliberately discriminates against the
non-heterosexual minority in Slovakia.
The proposed statute of the new government council was the result of a severalmonth process and repeated interdepartmental consultation. The council is
intended to help the Government enforce the equal treatment principle and
the principle of equality of all minorities. Notwithstanding that in the statute’s
preparation phase the commission for the LGBT minority was included among
the standing committees, the Government nonetheless removed the
commission from the statute without previous consultations or reaching an
agreement with the minority’s representatives.
With this decision, the Slovak government trampled upon the human dignity of
its citizens, ignoring the very existence of sexual minorities and essentially
labelling them as unworthy of equal treatment – as commissions for other
minorities remained in the statute. “Such a scandalous attitude on the part of
the Government is unacceptable. It is now clear that homophobic parties have
been a part of Iveta Radičová’s government, repeatedly betraying their voters
and election campaign promises regarding human rights,” says Július Kolenič, a
member of Inakosť’s management board.
Iniciatíva Inakosť condemns the abuse and deception of gay and lesbian
citizens by political parties in order to obtain their votes in the elections. Their
realpolitik shows that they do not care about them. “We offered help to the
Government’s institutions and took an active part in this work. From now on we
are going to monitor the Government’s actions very closely. We will see what
they will do to improve the situation of all minorities in Slovakia,” added Kolenič.
4.3. Homophobic statements of MPs violate the Slovak constitution
30.3.2011 Iniciatíva Inakosť expressed its outrage by statements of certain
members of Slovakia’s National Council which were made in Parliament during
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approval of Declaration on Acts of Violence and Persecution Towards Members
of Christian Communities in Several Places in the World.
Several MPs responded to the statement of MP Poliačik (SaS), who expressed
hope that the same support in the National Council would be lent to the rights
of groups such as LGBT people. Poliačik’s statement raised range of
homophobic responses, which showed that the MPs do not consider LGBT
people equal to Christians.
This proved that they respect neither international agreements such as the UN’s
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human
Rights, nor Article 12 Clause 1 of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic,
according to which people in Slovakia are equal in dignity and in rights.
Iniciatíva Inakosť asked Deputy Prime Minister Chmel, who is in charge of human
rights protection including those of LGBT people, to publicly denounce such
disparagement of the minority.
Our minority is often accused of requiring some sort of “extraordinary rights”. This
could not be further from the truth. We are citizens of this country, we live here,
we work here and we pay taxes here. Our sole demand is that the state and its
political representatives treat us equally to other citizens.
4.4. The website Homofobia.sk encourages lesbians and gays to report
discrimination
5.4.2011 Iniciatíva Inakosť launched the website Homofobia.sk, designed to
report, monitor and prevent homophobic incidents, as well as provide
information for victims of attacks and discrimination in Slovakia.
Causes and Examples of Homophobia
Common causes of homophobic behaviour include religious convictions
rejecting sex and/or homosexuality, minimum social contact with lesbian, gay,
bisexual or transsexual (LGBT) people, and fear of destabilising one’s own sexual
identity. Examples of homophobia include statements that LGBT people should
be cured of their sexual orientation, that homosexuality is a disease, offensive
language used against LGBT people, and refusal to employ people on grounds
of their sexual orientation. Unfortunately, homophobia is also expressed by
physical attacks (e.g. at the 2010 Bratislava Rainbow Pride) and denial by
government bodies (not acknowledging of lesbian and gay partnerships). The
November 2010 report entitled Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on
grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity by the EU’s Agency for
Fundamental Rights (FRA) of showed that LGBT people are forced to live their
lives in silence and invisibility, must bear violent attacks and are discriminated
against, for example at the workplace, when looking for accommodation or
when moving to another EU member state. “Slovak politicians are directly
responsible for the infringement of the binding EU Directive on free movement of
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citizens, in effect since 2006. This is state-sponsored discrimination against foreign
or mixed homosexual couples,” comments Július Kolenič of Inakosť.
Homophobia Harms Everyone
Homophobia’s negative consequences affect not only the LGBT minority, but
the heterosexual majority as well. LGBT people are often under stress from nonacceptance by their neighbourhood, which can lead to an increased number
of cases of depression and exaggeratedly low self-esteem. They are often
forced to pretend, to waste their energy on an undesired “double life”. Young
LGBT people may have problems with their studies due to homophobia, leading
to truancy or premature termination of studies. Another disadvantage for LGBT
people in comparison with other minorities is that they often cannot find support
within their own families. Unfortunately, some are even driven by their
homophobic environment to commit suicide. Homophobia, however, harms
heterosexual people as well. This is because it forces an excessively rigorous
conformity to gender roles and leads many young people, regardless of their
sexual orientation, towards premature sexual activities – to confirm to
themselves or to others they are “normal”. It can also lead to stigmatization of
heterosexual people perceived by others as homosexuals.
The Homofobia.sk website
The Homofobia.sk website is designed to provide lesbian, gay, bi and trans
people, along with their friends and families, a tool for reporting and monitoring
homophobic incidents, and to provide them with basic counselling, contacts
and links for more information on the fight with homophobia.
Inakosť intends to monitor the reported cases and support the competent
authorities, such as the police, the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights, the
ombudsman and others, to help victims in an adequate and timely manner.
“We would like to offer at least a modicum of volunteer-based support to the
LGBT people and their families and friends in Slovakia. Discrimination and
attacks against this minority cannot be ignored,” explains Ján Benec of Inakosť.
Homofobia.sk includes an online form which can be used to anonymously report
homophobic incidents encountered the reporting persons themselves, their
friends, schoolmates or family members. Should the reporting person wish, their
report may be forwarded to the authorities.
“When you are a member of a majority, you feel like the whole world and all its
people are like you, or should be like you. We know little about members of
minorities – “the other people”, we do not try to understand them; we are
prejudiced or afraid, perhaps due to the fact that we do not know them.
Insensitivity, attacks, misunderstanding – these may very well arise from the fear
of the unknown, the unwillingness to change our opinions or dispose of
stereotypes. This project can be a great help to all those concerned – every one
of us,” comments psychologist Hana Smitková on the launch of Homofobia.sk.
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4.5. FFi screening: Openly about Ondrej Nepela
Documentaries on Ondrej Nepela’s life are to be screened on Tuesday, 26 April
in Bratislava by the Slovak Queer Film Festival. Its organisers would like to
commemorate the successful figure-skater, who would have celebrated his 60th
birthday this January. Nepela’s is also the namesake of Bratislava’s ice hockey
arena, host of this year’s World Hockey Championships. “An Evening with Ondrej
Nepela” at the FTF VŠMU’s 35 mm film club will feature Juraj Jakubisko’s
documentary “Ondrej Nepela” and Czech Television’s documentary “What
Ondrej Nepela Danced For”, which also openly speaks of his sexual orientation
and death from AIDS. The screening begins at 7 p.m. and entrance is free. The
event is sponsored by the Slovak Film Institute and Czech Television. For more
information, please visit www.ffi.sk.
Ondrej Nepela (J. Jakubisko, 1973, SFÚ, 22 minutes):
At the end of sixties Juraj Jakubisko’s career was off to a promising start and his
films drew attention abroad. However, three films – “The Deserter and the
Nomads”, “Birds, Orphans and Fools” and “See You in Hell, Friends!” – were not
released in Czechoslovak cinemas until after the 1989 revolution. Jakubisko was
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criticised that his films were marked by “nihilism and negation of social and
ethical principles, not only socialist ones but of all kinds“. The director was
suspended from the Koliba film studio and had to take refuge at the Krátky film
(Short Film) studio, where he made several original documentaries, including a
portrait of figure skater Ondrej Nepela. He was at that time already an Olympic
gold medallist and multiple European and world champion. After 1972 he
wanted to stop competing, but he prolonged his amateur career for the 1973
world championship in his hometown of Bratislava. His preparation for his
performance at the world championship in Slovakia’s largest city is captured in
this unconventional and exciting documentary.
“O co tančil Ondřej Nepela” (What Ondrej Nepela Danced For) (K. Vondrová,
2007, ČT, 52 minutes):
Four years ago Czech Television also commemorated Ondrej Nepela, including
his portrait “What Ondrej Nepela Danced For” in the series Příběhy slavných
(Stories of the Famous), dealing mainly with Czech celebrities. In the
documentary Nepela, named in memoriam the best Slovak sportsman of the
20th century, is remembered not only by his trainer Hilda Múdra and Nepela’s
figure-skating role model Karol Divín but also Jiří Hromada, Karol Polák and
director Juraj Jakubisko. Eva Pilarová also discusses the premier Slovak figure
skater, who suddenly died in 1989 of complications of AIDS. She captivated him
at the Bratislavská lýra popular song festival, later becoming Nepela’s confidant.
According to the filmmakers Nepela “longed for a free life that would allow him
to come out”.
4.6. The statement of Iniciatíva Inakosť on 17 May – International Day Against
Homophobia
On 17 May the developed world celebrated the International Day against
Homophobia. On the other hand we currently witness the escalation of
groundless homophobic behaviour of politicians in Slovakia, who continually
pester the public with a hateful ideological fight against any proposals for
improvement of the disadvantaged and undignified position of LGBT people in
our society. In this context and in the light of Slovak politicians’ hostile attitude
towards the problem of human rights, Iniciatíva Inakosť appealed to the Slovak
politicians and public with following statement:
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are the LGBT people. And this is our home, too. We pay taxes and we work
for the benefit of all citizens of this state. We don’t do anything illegal. We don’t
demand anything more than others. We don‘t want to diminish anyone else’s
rights. We want just one simple thing – rights equal to everyone else’s. We want
this country in which we are home to acknowledge that we are here, that we
love our partners with the same love as heterosexuals. We don’t want to hide
our relationships, our partnerships, our life together with the person that we love,
and we support each other. We demand official acknowledgement of our
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relationships in the form of an act on registered partnerships or same-sex
marriage.
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citizens,
Look at the surrounding countries where such laws have been adopted long
ago. What happened there? Did the society collapse? Did the birth-rate
decrease? Nothing of the sort. Are you not ashamed that such laws have been
adopted not only in most EU countries but also in countries such as Uruguay,
Columbia, or Ecuador which many of you consider underdeveloped?
For years we have asked politicians, whose salaries are paid with our taxes, to
adopt a law which confirms our equal position in Slovak society. And what has
happened? Rejection, ignorance, insults. A political party which pretends to be
social-democratic has made a pact with representatives of the church that
they will not broach this topic. In the rest of the world this issue traditionally
belongs to the social-democratic agenda. A handful of political parties which
pretended to be liberal have given a few more courageous statements before
elections when they needed every vote. After elections everything is always
different.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We don’t trust you anymore. We don‘t trust that you want to address our needs.
You have betrayed us, those who voted for you and citizens of this country
everywhere.
We hereby appeal to the Government of the Slovak Republic and especially
Prime Minister Iveta Radičová and Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights
Rudolf Chmel to prepare and submit to the National Council a draft of an act
on registered partnerships or same-sex marriages. For inspiration it is sufficient to
look to other EU states.
We repeat: this is our home, too. Address our problems. That is why we elected
you and that is what we pay you to do.
4.7. Training course: The Impact of European Law on LGBT People in the Slovak
Republic
On 17 June 2011, as part of the Equal Jus project (http://equal-jus.eu) and with
the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and Slovenské národné strediska
pre ľudské práva (Slovak National Centre for Human Rights), Iniciatíva Inakosť
organised a professional seminar entitled the Impact of European Law on LGBT
People in the Slovak Republic.
The seminar’s programme was as follows:
- Rights of sexual minorities in the Slovak Republic (same-sex couples)
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- European Union law and protection of the rights of sexual minorities
- The right to private and family life in the decisions of the European
Commonwealth courts (ESpĽP and ESD)
- Possible applications of European law and European Commonwealth court
decisions in the laws of the Slovak Republic
The goal of the seminar was to increase legal awareness of the lay and
professional public about rights which are guaranteed to LGBT people in
Slovakia by European legislation. Attendance of the seminar was free.
4.8. LGBT People Personal Development Workshop
In September Iniciatíva Inakosť held the first “LGBT People
Development Workshop”, the first event of its kind in Slovakia.
Personal
Despite the progress regarding human rights in our country, little has been done
for LGBT people thus far in terms of psychological services. There are no
targeted psychological consultant services aimed specifically at problems of
LGBT clients.
LGBT people often find themselves in crises related to homophobia and
discrimination, and face greater societal pressure, disadvantaging, hostility,
victimising or, at least, stereotyping, than the heterosexual majority. This
increases the risk of psychological problems (e.g. stress, anxiety, depression,
denial of one’s own identity) and makes the development of their personal
potential more difficult. As the result, LGBT people find themselves socially
isolated, alone with their problems.
Psychological services sensitive to LGBT issues may be of great help in these
situations. As PhDr. Hana Smitková, PhD. says: “These are often people for whom
finding and accepting themselves may be even harder and who are afraid to
talk about themselves, especially in an environment not accepting or not
perceiving their specific situation arising from their identity. Psychologists should
be aware of the social context in which LGBT people and all of us live and to
address their needs more sensitively or perceptively.”
The goal of the workshop is to start providing the psychological support for LGBT
people in Slovakia’s capital city of Bratislava. During meetings led by a qualified
psychologist, participants can openly speak about their problems, look for
solutions, get more information on coming out, perceiving one’s own identity,
partner relationships, ways of treating anxiety, depression and family problems.
As Mgr. Andrej Kuruc says: “Creating a safer environment provides a venue for a
positive feedback and an emotional support group comprised of LGBT people
with similar experiences and problems.” For more information on the workshop
and how to apply, please visit www.homofobia.sk.
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The workshop is one of the activities of the broader Inakosť project
“Psychological Support for LGBT people”, realised with the support of the Slovak
Government Office. Besides the workshop, the project also includes a survey
aimed at detecting psychological problems and the use of psychological
services by LGBT people, a methodological guide for psychological service
providers and publishing information material for the general public.
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4.9. New leaflet from Homosexual Christians
On 19.9.2011 the informal group Homosexual Christians of Slovakia issued a new
leaflet supported by Iniciatíva Inakosť.
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4.10. Filmový festival inakosti (the Slovak Queer Film Festival)
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At the end of September, the Slovak Queer Film Festival celebrates its 5 th
anniversary. Between September 28 and October 4, dozens of fine films are to
be screened for film fans in two screening rooms at FTF VŠMU, Svoradova 2. As in
previous years, the most attractive films are to be screened in Cinema City
(Palace Cinemas), Aupark. New events include two “light entertainment” film
nights at Meteorit International Theatre, Čulenova 3: Gay Night (September 30)
and Lesbian Night (October 1). Zuzana Kronerová and Richard Stanke are the
patrons of the festival and it is held under the auspices of Milan Ftáčnik, the
mayor of Bratislava.
The 5th edition of the Slovak Queer Film Festival presents films from several
countries. Within the New Century section, dedicated to the latest films, USA,
Denmark and New Zealand will be represented, as well as France, Canada and
Argentina with films like “Three” by Tom Tykwer, the director of “Run, Lola, Run”
or “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer”, the extraordinary story of a love triangle.
The latest film of talented French director Céline Sciamma will also be screened:
“Tomboy”, a beautiful story of growing up and seeking one’s own identity.
Danish cinema will be represented by Saskia Bisp’s “Nobody Passes Perfectly”,
an open and emotionally powerful documentary on defining and changing
one’s gender identity. Canada will be represented by Xavier Dolan’s “I Killed My
Mother”, awarded almost 30 times at various film festivals. The director was only
20 years old when awarded at Cannes for the film, in which he also stars.
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The most attention will be given to Israeli cinema. The Fragments of Israel section
will directly confront the clash between homosexuality and orthodox Judaism
with “Eyes Wide Open” by Haim Tabakman and “The Secrets” by Avi Nesher.
Two films from Eytan Fox, most likely the most famous gay Israeli director, were
screened as well: “Yossi and Jagger”, about love between two Israeli soldiers,
and the playful musical “Mary Lou”. The Israeli LGBT community is the topic of
“Gay Days”.
The Classics section traditionally includes films historically significant to the queer
community. This year, three of them will be screened: “Oranges Are Not the
Only Fruit” (d. Beeban Kidron), The Naked Civil Servant (d. Jack Gold) and “The
Celluloid Closet” (d. Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman).
Slovak cinema is presented within the Queering Slovakia section. It will be mainly
focused on Róbert Šveda with his two shorts “Journeys to Arles” and “Dream,
Imagination of Benda Kristová”. Peter Bebjak will be represented by his
“Darkroom” and Jozef Vlk by his “The Day”. “The Walls are High and Thick”,
about the famous Slovak stage designer Aleš Votava, will be personally
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presented by director Juraj Johanides, screenwriter Anna Grusková, actor
Richard Stanke and the festival patron.
Two film nights were a part of this year’s festival programme, taking place at the
Meteorit International Theatre: Čulenova 3: Gay Night (September 30) and
Lesbian Night (October 1). The Lesbian Night pays tribute to three extraordinary
BBC adaptations of Sarah Waters’ novels. Besides the newest film “The Night
Watch”, the night will also feature lesbian “Victorian Classics” – “Tipping the
Velvet” and “Fingersmith”. Gay Night features two new significant films of 2011:
the subtle British film “Weekend”, screened at the Forum of Independents at the
Karlovy Vary IFF and elsewhere, and the US film “August”, about the irrepressible
attraction of ex partners, a favourite at this year’s Outfest in Los Angeles. The
third film is the light-hearted “The Big Gay Musical”.
Great attention has been paid to the festival’s accompanying events this year.
The Slovak Queer Film Festival will offer debates, an exhibition, a poetry reading
and a theatre play. Debates will take place at FTF VŠMU, Svoradova 2, dealing
with homosexuality and Christianity, AIDS in Slovakia, Rainbow Pride Bratislava
and the trans phenomenon. And the festival will include a reading by bestselling
Czech gay author Adam Georgiev.
The theatre play “Sissies” by NoMantinels Theatre is also one of the events. It is
the story of four young people who go on a trip that changes their life routine.
The play is to be performed on 23 September and 5 October in Štúdio 12. “Find
Your Love” is the title of Dušan Dušan Veselovský’s exhibition, taking place from
Saturday, 1 October in KC Dunaj, depicts a journey to find love. His works are his
personal expressions, an effort to look at his life from a certain distance, and his
confessions. This time he views the topic of seeking love from the perspective of
the queer community. The exhibition runs until 15 October. Advance ticket sale
is available at Ticketportal and the festival’s partner venues: Apollon and
Dejavu. For more info, please visit www.ffi.sk.
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4.11. The Transgender Phenomena Workshop
Iniciatíva Inakosť in cooperation with Rosa Luxemburg Foundation supported the
informal group Transfúzia with their project called The Transgender
Phenomenon. The workshops were held on 22.10. and 12.11.2011 in Bratislava.
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4.12. Free posters and condoms from Inakosť
On the occasion of the 1 December, World AIDS Day, the civic association
Iniciatíva Inakosť prepared three posters with on the prevention of HIV and basic
contacts for HIV testing.
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Inakosť placed the posters in eight facilities attended frequently by the LGBT
community in Bratislava, Vrútky and Košice, and also offered free condoms
courtesy of the company BIX.
The public could order the posters free of charge or download files for printing
and place the posters in other locations.
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4.12. PF 2012
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5. WHO WROTE ABOUT US
5.1. SME.SK 5.2.2011
Films, exhibition on homosexual Holocaust
BRATISLAVA. In concentration camps thousands of gays and lesbians also lost
their lives. With the Berlin-Yogyakarta Project, Iniciatíva Inakosť and the Slovak
Queer Film Festival will remind the Slovak public of this sad fact.
In Bratislava the organisers prepared an exhibition, discussion and two film
screenings, which aim is to point out the Nazi persecution of thousands of gays
and lesbians along with the establishment of the first organisation defending gay
rights.
As the SITA news agency was informed by Slovak Queer Film Festival PR
manager Roman Samotný, the project starts on Tuesday, 8 February at 7:00 p.m.
with a screening of the film “Bent” at the Film and Television Faculty of the
Academy of Performing Arts, Svoradova 2, Bratislava. The intimate war drama
stars Clive Owen as the gay man Max, who enjoys a decadent life in Berlin of
1930s. Later he is arrested by the Gestapo and ends up on a train to a
concentration camp.
Exhibition at Open Gallery
The travelling photographic exhibition the Berlin-Yogyakarta Project will be
opened on Friday, 11 February at 6:00 p.m. at Open Gallery, Baštová 5.
"The exhibition’s first part shows the cruelty of Hitler’s regime, while the second
part presents Yogyakarta’s principles, the first international documentary related
to sexual orientation and gender identity. We invite people to travel to two
periods and two continents to experience the contrast of tragedy and hope
through fascinating personal stories of gays and lesbians," cited Inakosť’s Ján
Benec from the press release. Those interested can see the exhibition until 25
February. On the last day of the exhibition at 7:00 p.m. at Open Gallery, the
documentary “Paragraph 175” will be screened.
Homosexuals – doomed to concentration camps
Many gays and lesbians in Nazi Germany were convicted on the basis of
paragraph 175 – the ordinance against sodomy, resulting in the deportation of
more than ten thousand homosexuals to the concentration camps.
The filmmakers managed to find five men and one woman who were marked
with a pink triangle, and they describe the terror of the death camps to the
world.
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Entry to the screening and exhibition is free. The Berlin-Yogyakarta Project in
Slovakia is held under the auspices of Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights
and Ethnic Minorities Rudolf Chmel and Ombudsman Pavel Kandráč.
More information about the films and the Berlin-Yogyakarta Project can be
found at inakost.sk and ffi.sk, added Roman Samotný.
5.2. HN ONLINE 7.2.2011
Bratislava film screening to focus on gays’ suffering in concentration camps
“Bent”, a drama about the suffering of gays in concentration camps, will be
screened on Tuesday, 8 February at the 35 mm Film Club at the VŠMU in
Bratislava. The screening has been organised by the Slovak Queer Film Festival
and Iniciatíva Inakosť as a part of the Berlin-Yogyakarta Project, which points out
Nazi persecution of homosexuals and establishment of the first organisation
defending LGBT rights. The screening starts at 7 p.m. and admission is free.
“Bent” (Great Britain, 1997) was directed by Sean Mathias. The main character,
the promiscuous homosexual Max (Clive Owen) is enjoying the decadent life of
1930s Berlin. However, the situation changes quickly as Nazis take power. Max
and his friend Rudy are arrested by the Gestapo and put on a train headed for
Dachau. On the train, Rudy is brutally beaten to death by the guards. As Rudy
calls out to Max when he is being taken away, Max lies to the guards, denying
he is gay. In the camp, Max falls in love with Horst, who shows him the dignity of
acknowledging one's beliefs.
This intimate war drama, awarded at festivals in Cannes, Turin and Gijóne, also
features Jude Law, Rachel Weisz and Ian McKellen. Owen’s starring role jumpstarted his acting career, and even Mick Jagger was cast as the drag queen
Greta. The film is based on a play by Martin Sherman in which Richard Gere
starred on Broadway in 1980.
The Berlin-Yogyakarta Project will continue on 11 February in the Open Gallery
on Baštová ulica, where the travelling photographic Berlin-Yogyakarta exhibition
will open. The exhibition will be concluded with a screening of the documentary
“Paragraph 175” on 25 February at 7 p.m.
5.3. SITA 11.3.2011
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Government breaches their rights, claims non-heterosexual minority
As Július Kolenič from the administrative board of Inakosť noted, the proposal of
statutes of a new government council was the result of a several-month process
and repeated interdepartmental consultation.
BRATISLAVA 11 March (WEBNOVINY) - Iniciatíva Inakosť strongly protested
against the government’s decision to remove the Commission for LGBT rights
from the proposal of statute of the Council of the Government of the Slovak
Republic for human rights, ethnic minorities and gender equality. According to
the Initiative pared-down version of adopted statute purposefully discriminates
non-heterosexual minority in Slovakia.
As Július Kolenič from the administrative board of Inakosť noted, the proposal of
statutes of a new government council was the result of a several-month process
and repeated interdepartmental consultation. This Council is intended to help
the Government to put into actual practice the principles of equal treatment
and equality of all minorities. "Notwithstanding that in the statute’s preparation
phase the commission for the LGBT minority was included among the standing
committees, the Government nonetheless removed the commission from the
statute without previous consultations or reaching an agreement with the
minority’s representatives," informed Kolenič.
Representatives of Iniciatíva Inakosť are convinced that " with its homophobic
decision the Government has trampled the human dignity of its citizens,
deciding to ignore the existence and problems of sexual minorities." According
to them, commissions for other minorities will remain in emerging Council. "Such
scandalous attitude of the Government is unacceptable for us. Now it is obvious
that part of Iveta Radičová’s government are also homophobe parties and
parties who repeatedly betray their voters and pre-election promises
concerning human rights,“ stated Kolenič. He added that Iniciatíva Inakosť
condemns the abuse and deception of gay and lesbian citizens by political
parties in order to obtain their votes in the elections. Their realpolitik shows that
they do not care about them. “We offered help to the Government’s institutions
and took an active part in this work. From now on we are going to monitor the
Government’s actions very closely. We will see what they will do to improve the
situation of all minorities in Slovakia,” added Kolenič.
The Statute of the Government Council of the Slovak Republic for Human Rights,
National Minorities and Gender Equality was approved by the Government on 2
March. According to the approved version the Council consists of eight
Commissions; six have been established by transformation of previous advisory
bodies and two are new. The third was supposed to be the Commission for LGBT
Rights, which in the end did not make it into the Statute of the Council due to
the Government’s decisions.
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Despite that the Government has not established the proposed Commission for
LGBT Rights, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights and Ethnic Minorities Rudolf
Chmel, according to his counsellor Jozef Švolík, affirms his interest and lasting
interest of his office to initiate and support discussions among experts and the
general public on this topic, “which is a natural part of the human rights agenda
and will be treated as such by the office.” The Deputy Prime Minister noted that
treaties on human rights and basic freedoms ratified by Slovakia, legally binding
acts of the European Union and further provisions regulating the protection and
observance of basic human rights and freedoms state that human rights apply
to everyone and no one may be excluded from their protection. "The ban on
discrimination is one of the most important principles and values of the
European Union, including the Slovak Republic," he emphasized. According to
the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, protection of the human rights of LGBT
people imply the introduction of new rights, but the application of existing rights.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights and Ethnic Minorities further stressed
that the ban on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation is also stipulated
by Slovakia’s antidiscrimination act. According to Švolík, the Deputy Prime
Minister’s expert advisors are working on a proposal of a Council directive on the
application of the equal treatment principle regardless of religion or creed,
disability, age or sexual orientation discussed within the Working Party on Social
Affairs in Brussels.
"Deputy Prime Minister Chmel fully realises that the public discussion about
people with non-heterosexual orientation and their position in society is currently
limited to the question of registered partnership. Therefore he welcomes and
supports NGO activities to sensitise the public in relation to sexual minorities in
the form of the constructive presentation of sexual minority issues," added Švolík.
The fulfilment of these goals can be helped significantly by the Council of the
Government of the Slovak Republic for Human Rights, Ethnic Minorities and
Gender Equality through existing commissions or by the creation of working
groups.
5.4. HN ONLINE 13.4.2011
Slovak Queer Film Festival to introduce documentaries on Ondrej Nepela
A documentary about the life of Ondrej Nepela will be screened on Tuesday, 26
April in Bratislava by the Slovak Queer Film Festival (Filmový festival inakosti).
Organisers wish to commemorate a successful figure skater who would have
celebrated his 60th birthday this January. Roman Samotný, PR manager of the
festival informed TASR.
During the Evening with Ondrej Nepela at the 35 mm Film Club at the Film and
Television Faculty of the VŠMU, viewers will watch Juraj Jakubisko’s documentary
“Ondrej Nepela”. The director shot the documentary during the totalitarian era
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when he was banned from Koliba Studios and had to take refuge at Krátky film
Studios, where he shot several original documentaries, including this portrait of
O. Nepela, who was already an Olympic gold-medalist and multiple European
and world champion at the time. After 1972 he wanted to finish competing but
he prolonged his amateur career to compete in the world championship which
was held in 1973 in his hometown of Bratislava. His preparation for his
performance at the world championship in Slovakia’s capital is followed in this
unconventional and exciting documentary.
The screening will also include the Czech Television documentary “O co tančil
Ondřej Nepela”, in which his sexual orientation and death from AIDS is
mentioned. In the documentary Nepela is remembered by his trainer Hilda
Múdra and Nepela’s figure skating role model Karol Divín, as well as Jiří
Hromada, Karol Polák and director Juraj Jakubisko. Eva Pilarová also discusses
the premier Slovak figure skater, who suddenly died in 1989 of complications of
AIDS. She captivated him at the Bratislavská lýra popular song festival, later
becoming Nepela’s confidant. According to the filmmakers Nepela “longed for
a free life that would allow him to come out”. The Evening with Ondrej Nepela
will start at 7:00 p.m. and entry is free. The screening is sponsored by Slovenský
filmový ústav (the Slovak Film Institute) and Czech Television.
5.5. PRAVDA.SK 27.5.2011
Slovak Queer Film Festival supports Rainbow Pride
The Slovak Queer Film Festival (FFi) supports Rainbow Pride in Bratislava by
screening films about lesbians and gays. Audiences can watch the
documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk” (1984) one day before the pride march
on 3 June at A4 – nultý priestor.
The Oscar-winning film presents the story of famous homosexual activist and
politician Harvey Milk. The screening starts at 8:00 p.m. and entry is free. On 1
June at 7:30 p.m. at OPEN Gallery, the film “Edie & Thea: A Very Long
Engagement” will be shown. Before the screening a discussion will be held
about the lives of LGBT people in Slovakia. Starting at 5:00 p.m., the discussion is
organised by the Open Society Foundation and the US Embassy in Slovakia as
part of the discussion series Face 2 Face.
"We wish to express our high regard for the organisers of Rainbow Pride
Bratislava 2011. It is a special event in this region and we believe that it helps
LGBT people to feel freer in their homeland," stated the director of FFi Zita
Hosszúová.
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5.6. PRAVDA.SK 3.8.2011
Gays and lesbians to teach how to handle coming out
How to inform your parents or colleagues of your homosexual orientation? LGBT
people will learn how to come out in a personal development course.
According to psychologist Andrej Kuruc, "the aim of the course is to develop a
safe environment for LGBT people to share psychological problems and
problems in general – in relationships, in families and elsewhere. It is unique in
that Slovakia’s psychological services are not yet sensitive to these people’s
problems. Many psychologists aren’t familiar with them, and when these people
come to them, they discourage them quickly or aggravate their clients’ inner
problems with their prejudices," he explains.
The course, which will take place in September, is part of a larger Iniciatíva
Inakosť project and includes research focused on detecting psychological
problems among LGBT people. "Such a course hasn’t yet been realised in
Slovakia, the Czech Republic or the other surrounding countries. We are doing it
for LGBT people because aside from a few exceptions, providers of
psychological services cannot work with LGBT clients," said Inakosť’s Ján Benec
for Pravda.
"The hetero majority can go anywhere; psychologists are trained for them. LGBT
people have specific needs, which if not taken into account by a psychologist
or a psychotherapist, prevent them from helping their clients effectively," warns
Benec. "The issue is that when these people need psychological support they will
hide an important part of their personality from the psychologist if they are
afraid to show their identity. They may hide that they are homosexual for fear
that they will be condemned by their psychologist."
According to Benec it is good if psychologists take the sexual orientation of their
clients into account so they can feel safe. "It still depends on the quality of the
psychotherapist, but it is surely helpful if they understand this aspect. Otherwise
the gay or trans client will leave as their psychologist stares at them in
incomprehension. It is a part of life and therefore a psychologist should know
how to deal with it," muses Benec.
The course will be led by specialists – psychologists Hana Smitková and Andrej
Kuruc, who are experienced in this field and have substantial experience
working with LGBT clients. Abroad it is common for psychologists to specialise in
LGBT issues and work exclusively with this community.
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The project also plans to survey the level of psychological services from LGBT
people’s perspectives and to find out about their experiences.
5.7. SITA 26.9.2011
Slovak Queer Film Festival intends to fight homophobia and xenophobia
The fifth year of the Slovak Queer Film Festival will take place in Bratislava from
28 September until the 4 October. In addition to international and Slovak
cinema it will include discussions, exhibitions or and a poetry reading.
BRATISLAVA 26 September (WEBNOVINY) – For the fifth time the organisers of the
Slovak Queer Film Festival will fight homophobia and xenophobia in Slovakia,
starting on Wednesday in Bratislava. The organisers have prepared films from
several countries, including Slovakia. The festival will be held until 4 August.
"This year organisers will also screen a selection of the most popular titles in at the
multiplex Palace Cinemas in Aupark. New additions include two evening
screenings at the Meteorit International Theatre on Čulenova ulica. Gay Night is
scheduled for 30 September and Lesbian Night for 1 October," said PR manager
of the festival Roman Samotný. The festival’s patrons are actors Zuzana
Kronerová and Richard Stanke and its is held under the auspices of Mayor of the
City of Bratislava Milan Ftáčnik.
A focus on Israel
The section New Century will feature new releases from the USA, Denmark and
New Zealand, as well as France, Canada and Argentina. Among all the
countries, the festival management has drawn the most attention to the work of
Israeli filmmakers.
"The Fragments of Israel section will directly confront the clash between
homosexuality and orthodox Judaism with ‘Eyes Wide Open’ by Haim
Tabakman and ‘The Secrets’ by Avi Nesher," said Samotný.
The festival will also screen two films by most likely Israel’s best known director of
gay-related films, Eytan Fox: “Yossi & Jagger”, about love between two Israeli
soldiers and the playful musical “Mary Lou”. The Israeli LGBT community will be
introduced in the documentary “Gay Days”.
"Older films significant to the queer community are also a traditional part of the
programme," added Samotný. These films are presented in Classics section. This
time the organisers chose the films “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit”, “The Naked
Civil Servant” and “The Celluloid Closet”.
The aforementioned Lesbian Night will pay tribute to three special adaptations
of novels by British author Sarah Waters produced by the BBC. Gay Night will
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offer two significant new films of 2011 – the subtle British film “Weekend” and the
American film “August”.
Documentary “The Walls are High and Thick” to introduce Juraj Johanides
The Queer Slovakia section is dedicated to Slovak cinematography. Director
Róbert Šveda will be introduced here with two short films: “Van Gogh’s Trip to
Arles” and “The Dream, Imagination and Fantasy of Benda Kristová”. The festival
cinemas will also screen the film “Darkroom” by Peter Bebjak and “Deň” by
Jozef Vlk. The documentary “The Walls are High and Thick”, on stage designer
Aleš Votava, will be personally introduced by its director Juraj Johanides,
screenwriter Anna Grusková and actor Richard Stanke.
Poet Adam Georgiev to accompany festival
Organisers have also paid attention to the accompanying programme this year;
the festival will offer discussions, an exhibition, a poetry reading and a theatre
performance. At the Film and Television faculty of the VŠVU on Svoradova ulica,
a discussion will be held about homosexuality and Christianity, AIDS in Slovakia,
Rainbow PRIDE Bratislava and the trans phenomenon.
Poet and prose writer Adam Georgie will present his work during the festival.
Another co-event of the Slovak Queer Film Festival is a performance (Weaklings)
by the theatre group NoMantinels and an Dušan Veselovský’s exhibition
Hľadanie lásky (Searching for love). The entire programme can be found at
http://www.ffi.sk/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=251&
lang=sk.
The Slovak Queer Film Festival is a non-commercial festival of films dealing with
the lives of LGBT people. The programme includes current and older queerrelated films. The organiser of the festival is the civic association Iniciatíva
Inakosť.
6. FINANCES
6.1. Yields:
€77,295
6.2. Costs:
€76,754
6.3. Surplus:
€744
The surplus of €744 was transferred in 2012 and will be used in accordance with
the mission and the goals of Iniciatíva Inakosť’s activities.
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