Slovakia

In Bratislava, Slovakia, LGBTI activists and allies hosted a series of actions on May 17, including a LGBTI Volleyball training session, a photo action against homophobia and transphobia, a dance course for LGBTI couples and a queer party.

The project ‘Mesiac LGBTI History’ is a series of cultural events, information campaign, debate and historical research, which aims to contribute to improving the quality of life of LGBTI people in Slovakia. For IDAHOT 2014, the organisers prepared four different events which took place on May 17 in Bratislava.
Open Training for LGBTI Volleyball
For more than two years, the organisers, ‘Hot Sports Club Lotus Flower’, have been building a community of LGBTI people who are involved in different sports, with particular emphasis on volleyball. The training session was open to all who would like to learn the basics of volleyball. Various experienced volleyball players from Lotus Flower (who have received several medals in international tournaments), also attended the event and supported people’s participation. The session was held at Paul Elementary School Marcelyho.
Event at the Smajáles Festival on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

This event, which aimed to draw attention to homophobia and transphobia in Slovakia, was part of the festival Smajáles, and was held at River’s Club. The action was basically designed to help people express love! It included the tying of colourful ribbons onto the traditional ‘May branch’ to symbolise love. Visitors were invited to take pictures with the words “No homophobia and transphobia”, and the photographs then formed part of an online campaign. You can find some of the pictures here on Facebook.Communities come together to express their love for IDAHOT 2014 in Slovakia

 
“Hot Floor” – A dance course for LGBTI couples

Experienced dance instructors Parilák Thomas and Andrew Return tought LGBTI couples ballroom dancing, for this particular IDAHOT 2014 event which was held in Batelier. The course included Latin American Art of Dance, Salsa, Cha Cha and Jive. The activity also offered a short tour of the history of dance (and originated in the competition for young “Čo v učebnici nenájdeš”).

Hot Floor: LGBTI dance classes for IDAHOT 2014

Queer party – “Teplaren”
Teplaran is the largest party in Slovakia, and is hosted in Batelier. The party has been in existence for two years, and counts on the participation of thousands of visitors, and multiple DJs from abroad. Quality house music featured in this special edition of the party, in commemoration of IDAHOT 2014.

Poster for major queer party in Batelier for IDAHOT 2014 in Slovakia