Fun Fast Facts:
Updated: 24 Mar 2014 (Society struggling to keep up with progressive laws)
- Same-sex sexual activity became legal in Kosovo in 1970, however it took until 2006 for Kosovo to no longer classify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
- Since 1 January 1991, Kosovo has an equal age of consent of 14. This is regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender and all sexual offences are gender-neutral.
- Article 37 of Kosovo’s Constitution does not restrict its definition of marriage to the union between a man and a woman stating that anyone can enter into marriage based on free will.
- LGBTI persons are not banned from military service however can suffer discrimination if serving openly in the military.
- Kosovo is one of the few states in Europe with a constitutional ban on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Society struggling to keep up with progressive laws
Broadcast: 24 Mar 2014
LGBTIQ-friendly organisation: QESh, the Center for Social Emancipation
- QESh was founded in April 2005 as an association with the purpose of creating a safe, tolerant and gay-friendly environment for the LGBTIQ community of Kosovo through awareness raising activities of general society and support activities for the LGBTIQ community.
- QESh’s mission is to promote a society characterised by diversity and respect, where all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, shall have equal rights, responsibilities and equal opportunities to live and work.
W3JOY interviewed: Ulrike Lunacek – Member of the European Parliament, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup and Rapporteur on Kosovo
“The problem is that Kosovo in general has very good laws. The Kosovo constitution forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation in Article 24. Nevertheless the problem is that enforcement of this legislation is still a challenge.”
“We (the European Parliament) are concerned that discrimination is still a problem and we call on the authorities to give effect to the constitutional principles of non discrimination and we call for a comprehensive anti-discrimination strategy so that the law can and is being fully implemented.”
“What I find very positive about Kosovo, that yes it is a Muslim country but it is very secular. Religion hasn’t played an important role.”
“Never before in Kosovo society was there any debate at all about LGBT rights so the Kosovo 2.0 people were very courageous in putting that on the stage. There are now a few initiatives of people being active on LGBT rights from Kosovos themselves – Kosovo’s gays and lesbians who’ve said ‘we want to change things’.”