In the past year, we have seen an unprecedented degradation of democracy in independent Slovenia. Under the guise of the crisis caused by the epidemic, the current government has taken control of all levers of power governing the social processes and functions. It has withdrawn funding from those critical of the country’s leadership, suppressed demonstrations and the freedom of expression and resorted to increasing police and military violence with each passing Friday.

Resist the authoritarianism of this government, which uses violence to retain its domination over the people.

With its hateful discourse, the current government is fiercely attacking the hard-won human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons. Parliament speeches and the Prime Minister’s public statements make references to the so-called ideologisation or homosexualisation of Slovenia’s schools – which suggests a shift of the hateful rhetoric from the sphere of ultra-conservative civil initiatives to a more central position of power. Intimidation, threats, finger pointing ... all these are methods used by the current government against LGBTIQ+ persons on a daily basis.

The government’s systematic attacks aiming to jeopardise the existence and undermine the importance of NGOs, the hamstringing of public media and the declaration of war on alternative culture are actions that cut deep into the fabric of the LGBTIQ+ community.

Resist the anti-liberalism of this government, which sees a threat in all of us who are “other” and different.

The epidemic first paralysed the LGBTIQ+ community, then exhausted it and finally evicted it. “Stay at home” or “spend the epidemic on the sofa” was the mantra of the systemic approach to stopping the spread of the epidemic. For many (young) LGBTIQ+ persons, this mantra translated into experiencing violence due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, even going back to the closet and being isolated from the community and their sources of support. We have lost our community, our jobs, adequate healthcare, even our homes. Our community is extremely important to us, giving us safety and protection. Much too often, our home is not where it says on our ID; our home is Metelkova, our homes are Monokel and Tiffany, our community spaces, the Legebitra Youth Centre, Dih tea parties, TransAkcija support groups, Kvartir’s zines, our home is the Pride Parade. Our home was Rog.

Resist the intimidation of this government, which threats eviction and closure “for our own good”, for health purposes.

On 1 July 2021, Slovenia will once again assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was the European Commission that, at the end of 2020, lay the new foundations for ensuring the equal rights of LGBTIQ+ persons and the enjoyment of these rights within the EU in its first-ever LGBTIQ Equality Strategy. In early 2021, the European Parliament adopted the Resolution on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone, sending an important message, particularly to Poland that is trying to “clean” its country of LGBTIQ+ persons. How, then, can we let the helm of the European Union be taken by a government that prefers to be in the company of countries that deal with LGBTIQ+ individuals with the most oppressive tactics, systematically following their example?

Resist the cult of personality of the great leader, whose anti-morality undermines the fundamental achievements of our civilisation.

We demand freedom, equality and respect.

We demand unconditional respect for the human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons.

We demand that the government always be in the service of all people and that its actions always be subject to the critical eye of free media and strong civil society organisations. The government must follow the direct will of the people. Without that, there is no democracy.

On 19 June, we march together to resist the oppression!

Ljubljana Pride Association

COVID-19

Detailed descriptions of PCT conditions and all applicable regulations are available in Javni list 73/2021, Article 3 (6):

✔️ UL št. 73/2021: https://www.uradni-list.si/glasilo-uradni-list-rs/vsebina/2021-01-1549/odlok-o-spremembah-odloka-o-zacasni-omejitvi-ponujanja-kulturnih-storitev-koncnim-uporabnikom-v-republiki-sloveniji

✔️ UL št. 79/2021: https://www.uradni-list.si/glasilo-uradni-list-rs/vsebina/2021-01-1680/odlok-o-spremembah-in-dopolnitvah-odloka-o-zacasni-omejitvi-ponujanja-kulturnih-storitev-koncnim-uporabnikom-v-republiki-sloveniji-