LGBT rights in the Republic of Macedonia

Protection based on sexual orientation in law

It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, as of 2008. [ [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8978.html Macedonia should recognise same-sex couples says rights commissioner] , PinkNews]

Recognition of same sex couples

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples. But MASSO is constantly informing the public about why there should be such recognition and pushing for it.

Gay life in the country

Young men and inhabitants of larger towns are generally more liberal in their attitudes towards homosexuality than the Muslims, elderly people, women and rural inhabitants. Gays are generally accepted as long as they do not manifest their sexual orientation in public.

The gay scene is not large but is growing. As of Dec. 2006 there is only one official gay club in Skopje and several gay-friendly establishments located in main city. Also, there are three pubs/bars that have "gay nights" in their weekly programs.

MASSO [http://www.masso.org.mk] is the first organization to promote gay rights among other organizations that work in the area of human rights. The other two organization that deal with gay rights are the Center for Civil and Human Rights [http://www.cgcp.org.mk] (Skopje, Macedonia) and EGAL (Skopje, Macedonia).

Generally, gay rights and attitudes towards such change very fast in the small Balkan country. The mentality of the people is generally friendly. Macedonia has never had any gay-related crimes.Fact|date=February 2007There are gay news articles regularly in both printed and electronic media, as well as 4 web sites and blogs with solely gay content, news, rights etc.

Notes