Country Overview
Croatia
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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Legal protections for LGBTIQ people in Croatia are progressing. Although same-sex couples are not allowed to marry, they can be legally recognized as partners and enjoy similar benefits. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression is banned, but harassment and discrimination still occur, and public opinion about LGBTIQ people is fairly mixed. In a 2019 survey of LGBTIQ Croatian people, 43% felt discriminated against in at least one area of life in the year before the survey. LGBTIQ Pride events are held annually in Croatia, but anti-LGBTIQ demonstrators have attacked participants at several of these events. In a 2015 survey of Croatian people, 48% of respondents agreed that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people should enjoy the same rights as heterosexual people. Although many political parties support the rights of LGBTIQ people, right-wing organizations and parties remain opposed and are highly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, a vocal opponent.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
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Human Rights Research
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