Same-sex adoption has been on a long and difficult road to success, in the world – not just in the Czech Republic. However, last year an amendment to help same-sex adoption in the Czech Republic was passed. This amendment does not give same-sex couples the right to adopt, but it does give them a lot of ease through the process.  We know there are debates on the same-sex adoption topic on many politicians minds. We are just glad that it’s a step forward now. The amendment was passed in part due to the increasing amount of couples leaving the Czech Republic to form same-sex families.  The Human Rights Watch (HRW) released an article about the fight for LGBT freedom, referencing the Czech Republic’s Parliament refusal to amend a law for the privilege of Czech citizens who are married to the same-sex and adopting a child, calling it, “Illogical, Irrational, and Discriminatory”. After a long and frustrating battle, Czech’s parliament has voted in favor of same-sex adoption in the Czech Republic in an attempt to broaden citizen rights.

The heart of the problem lies in the constitutional court in Prague. The court holds the law and votes for what is legally accepted. Families can form in Prague without the security of marriage, but for a same-sex couple to receive spousal benefits they have to be considered under the law. The courts are turning towards the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals, and transvestites) and said that it would be best both for the child and the parents if it were legal. According to the HRW organization, they commented, “The ruling is not rocket science… justice has been done in the Czech Republic.”

For the most part, the Czech Republic is considered to be one of the more liberal countries within the EU, in favor of sexual freedom and equal rights to lesbians, gays, and transvestites, since the fall of the communism. Czechs seem more open and tolerant to diversity within their country as opposed to prior years. The Gay Parade, Gay Bars, and other events promoting gay festivities occur within the Czech community. Of course, there still are areas of improvement within the country itself. Yet, little by little the LGBT community is growing stronger and more confident within Czech communities. In Brno, Czech Republic there is a parade called the “Queer Parade” which encourages gays to unite and express themselves however they choose as they go through the streets.

But for some more concerned with the political aspect of homosexuality in Czech Republic, there is more liberty in the army. In the army there is no limitation on sexual orientation in the Czech Republic and you are able to serve wether you are gay or not. This indeed shows the broadening of political view in the Czech Republic.

However, there is still work to be done domestically. On December 7th, in Prostejov ten year old twin boys by a Czech – French gay couple were living in San Francisco, California due to legal rights in the Czech Republic. If they moved to Czech Republic the 41 year old father had no rights to the twin boys. They used to spend holidays in Czech Republic with family and wanted to stay longer with their family but due to the legislation were unable to. With the new amendment through Chamber of Deputies the father is quoted as saying, “Now we can be granted Czech citizenship and move to the Czech Republic.” The father, who works as a financial director in the United States continued to say that the educational doors for the twins will be opened in the Czech Republic as well, and they will be able to live closer to family. The father is from Prostejov, and agrees that Czech gays and lesbians living abroad will now be able to bring adopted children home. Petr Kalla, a popular Czech lawyer who represents gay couples in Czech courts is making amazing progress in the Chamber of Deputies, as he continues to pursue cases which bring freedom to Czech gays. Even though gay couples are still unable to yet marry they can obtain legal registered partnership that grants the rights of traditional marriage including inheritance, alimony, and spousal privilege. Concerning adoption, the courts have 2,000 registered partnerships in Czech Republic. The new court ruling does not explicitly grant same-sex couples the right to adopt – it removes hindrances.

Who knows what the future holds – but at the moment the progression of liberty in the Czech Republic continues to gradually move forward.

Article written by Brittney Pilarcik.