Source: Prague Post
Well-known gay and lesbian rights activist Jiří Hromada has become the first openly gay 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.
Prague Post reports that at least two Czech news websites had to shut down online discussions following reports of his nomination 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, Prague Post reports.
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.
“Our goal from the start in 1990 was not to be needed,” Hromada told Prague Post, echoing statements he’d made at the time. “We had achieved what we set out to do and now it was time for the younger generation to take over and fight for their own needs.”
By allowing same-sex unions in 2006, the Czech Republic made an important step toward equality on a legislative level, but in the everyday life of the general public, gays and lesbians have yet to achieve total acceptance. Hromada wants to change this.
“One of the reasons I accepted the nomination was to prove to others that sexual orientation is not important and that people should judge others by their capabilities,” he said.
During its existence, the Gay Initiative helped to raise support for gay rights among the general public from 10 percent in 1990 to 70 percent in 2006, when the law allowing registered partnerships was passed despite President President Václav Klaus’ veto.
Following that success, Hromada wanted to return to his life as an actor and enjoy his achievements. Instead, in 2007 he was asked by the newly formed Human Rights and Minorities Ministry to share his experience and help minorities in a consultant capacity -- a request he accepted. Now, more than a year later, the Greens have asked him to run for the Senate, making him the first official gay candidate.
Hromada told the Post that he won't be the country's first gay MP, even though he's the first openly gay candidate. He says there already are several gay politicians who are afraid to come out of the closet. “During our effort to pass the partnership bill we met two types of political gays,” he said. “Some would secretly admit their orientation and quietly support us, while others became our staunchest opponents and tried to stop the bill at all costs.”
Despite the hateful comments toward gays that have appeared in online discussions and in formal press statements, Hromada told the Post that he does not think voters will have a problem with his sexuality. He’s found that the voters he’s met in person have been generally supportive of his decision to come out and prefer to concentrate on his professional qualities and ask questions as they would of any other candidate.
He adds that the best place to test public opinion is in a village pub.
“Despite their machismo and traditional upbringing, the men respect me and admire the courage that it took to come out,” he said. “At the same time they call their local closet gay a ‘faggot,’ poke fun at him and despise him for lying to himself and everyone around.”
Full article: First gay candidate runs for Senate | Prague Post