First gay candidate runs for Czech Senate

Well-known gay and lesbian rights activist Jiří Hromada has become the first openly homosexual candidate to run for the Senate in the Czech Republic. Nominated by the Green Party April 19, Hromada’s name will be on the ballot in the upcoming fall elections.

Following reports of his nomination, news servers such as Novinky and Aktuálně.cz had to shut down online discussions because they were full of homophobic and vulgar comments. The right-wing extremist National Party immediately issued a press statement branding Hromada a “homosexual deviant.” Despite years of hard work by many gay and lesbian activists, it seemed from such reactions that homophobic feelings are still a part of the national culture, and Hromada’s candidacy in the upcoming election could serve as a test of the public’s tolerance and open-mindedness.

Hromada’s official career as a gay rights activist ended in late 2006, when he retired as chairman of the Gay Initiative, a group that had spearheaded the movement for registered partnerships for 17 years. At the same time, the organization folded, feeling its mission had been largely completed.  First gay candidate runs for Senate
Prague Post, Czech Republic