Iniciatíva inakosť

Iniciatíva inakosť (Initiative Otherness) is a Slovak civil society organization and brand focused on the positive visibility and equal rights of LGBTI+ people in Slovakia. The name originated in 2006 as a shared initiative of several Slovak LGBT organizations, including Ganymedes, HaBiO, Altera, Museion, H-plus, and CKKISM. The organization was formally registered as a civic association on 22 September 2006. Its mission is to build a more just society where all people are free and equal in dignity and rights, and to improve the lives of LGBTI+ people so they can express their true selves and feel safe, respected, and accepted. The brand operates through several flagship programs. inPoradňa is its counseling center providing psychological, legal, and social counseling; since its creation it has helped over 1,000 people. The organization also runs the Film Festival inakosti (the sixth edition took place in 2012), organizes cultural and community events, engages in strategic litigation, and advocates for legislative and public policy changes. In May 2015 it co-founded the initiative Životné partnerstvo (Life Partnership) with the subtitle "Chceme sa brať. Vážne." (We want to get married. Seriously.), aimed at persuading the public and government of the need for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. Iniciatíva inakosť is based in Bratislava and operates primarily in Slovakia. It has been active for two decades, marking "20 rokov Inakosti" (20 years of Otherness) in 2026. The organization highlights that Slovakia ranks among EU countries with the lowest levels of legal protection and social acceptance of LGBTI+ people, and it continues to face a challenging environment, including a wave of hatred after the attack in front of Tepláreň, an LGBTI+ safe space in Bratislava. Its work includes public education, cultural events, and amplifying the stories of LGBTI+ people and their families.

The name Iniciatíva Inakosť (Initiative Otherness) emerged in 2006 as a shared initiative of several Slovak LGBT organizations: Ganymedes, HaBiO, Altera, Museion, H-plus, and CKKISM. However, the roots go back further. On 27 June 2000, the organization adopted its own charter of rights and principles, the Charter of the Iniciatíva Inakosť, which described its program and was supported by 18 other organizations and individuals. Between 2002 and 2006, the civic association Ganymedes prepared several projects under the Iniciatíva Inakosť brand. The name was then used by Hana Fábryová from the lesbian association Museion in the project "Kto je kto" (Who is Who), which included a campaign for the introduction of registered partnerships for same-sex couples into Slovak legislation. In 2007, Iniciatíva Inakosť, in cooperation with the Human Rights and Minorities Section of the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic, developed the project "Sme tu – dni inakosti" (We Are Here – Days of Otherness). The organization was formally established as a civic association on 22 September 2006. In February 2012, it participated in organizing the project "Mesiac LGBT histórie" (LGBT History Month). It is the organizer of the Film Festival inakosti; the sixth edition took place in 2012. In May 2015, the movement co-founded the initiative Životné partnerstvo (Life Partnership) with the subtitle "Chceme sa brať. Vážne." (We want to get married. Seriously.). According to initiator Martin Macko from Iniciatíva Inakosť, the platform aims to "persuade people as well as the government of the need for legal recognition of life partnerships." The organization opened inPoradňa for LGBTI people; from October 2018 to January 2019, 50 people contacted it. By 2026, the organization marked 20 years of activity, continuing its advocacy, counseling, and cultural work.

• Charter of the Iniciatíva Inakosť adopted, supported by 18 other organizations and individuals.

• Ganymedes prepared several projects under the Iniciatíva Inakosť brand.

• Name Iniciatíva Inakosť emerged as a shared initiative of several LGBT organizations.

• Organization formally established as a civic association.

• Developed project 'Sme tu – dni inakosti' with the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic.

• Participated in organizing LGBT History Month.

• Sixth edition of Film Festival inakosti held.

• Co-founded Životné partnerstvo initiative with subtitle 'Chceme sa brať. Vážne.'

• inPoradňa opened; from October 2018 to January 2019, 50 people contacted it.

• Marked 20 years of activity ('20 rokov Inakosti').

A leading Slovak LGBTI+ advocacy and community brand, combining direct support services with cultural events and systemic change.

• inPoradňa

  Counseling center providing psychological, legal, and social counseling for LGBTI+ people.

• Film Festival inakosti

  Annual film festival organized by Iniciatíva Inakosť.

• Životné partnerstvo

  Initiative for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, co-founded in 2015.

1. 1Sme Inakosť - Iniciatíva Inakosťinakost.sk
2. 2Hi! We Are Inakosť - Iniciatíva Inakosťinakost.sk
3. 3Iniciatíva inakosť - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Iniciatíva Inakosť - Wikipediask.wikipedia.org