Joint Pride Statement 

23 July 2022

We believe that LGBTQI+ rights are human rights and cannot be compromised.  In marking Banská Bystrica Pride on 25 June, Bratislava Pride on 23 July, Košice Pride on 27 August, and other Pride events around the country, we honor the resilience of LGBTQI+ people as they fight to live authentically and freely in Slovakia and around the world.  Pride is an opportunity to recognize the many ways LGBTQI+ communities enhance and contribute to all of our societies.

Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine reminds us that we are united by shared values, including support for human rights.  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that each person is entitled to human rights and fundamental freedoms.  Similarly, the principles of the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrine equal treatment of all, including LGBTQI+ people. 

We also recognize the efforts of LGBTQI+ human rights defenders and civil society organizations as they work tirelessly to advance respect for the human rights of all.  They are partners and allies.

Strong and healthy democracies ensure LGBTQI+ people can enjoy full participation in society and access all the benefits available to their citizens.  Countries are stronger when all people – regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics – are fully recognized as free and equal members of society.

Signatories: 
Embassy of the Republic of Albania to the Slovak Republic  
Embassy of Australia  
Embassy of Austria
Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium
Office of the Embassy of Canada  
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Embassy of Denmark  
Embassy of Estonia  
Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia   
European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovakia  
Embassy of Finland
General Delegation of Flanders
Ambassade de France en Slovaquie  
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany 
Embassy of Greece 
Embassy of Iceland  
Embassy of Ireland  
Embassy of Italy  
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia  
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania  
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg  
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Slovak Republic 
New Zealand Embassy  
Royal Norwegian Embassy  
Embassy of Portugal  
Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia 
Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain 
Embassy of Sweden 
Embassy of Switzerland 
Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland  
Embassy of the United States of America 
Mária Kolíková, Minister of Justice of the Slovak Republic 
Radoslav Kutaš, State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic
Silvia Porubänová, Executive Director, and team of Slovak National Centre for Human Rights 
Matúš Vallo, Mayor of Bratislava