Celebrities Call on Education Minister to Condemn Submitted Edu Act Amendment

Bratislava, December 5 (TASR) - Several publicly known figures, including popular actress Tana Pauhofova, former finance minister Ivan Miklos and scientist Pavol Cekan, have called on Education Minister Jan Horecky to publicly condemn a draft amendment to the Education Act that has been submitted to Parliament by Independent MPs Stefan and Filip Kuffa, claiming that the bill promotes the stigmatising of and hatred towards LGBTI people in schools, TASR learnt on Monday. The aim of the amendment is to "prohibit the presentation and teaching of sexuality promoting homosexuality, gender reassignment and deviation from the gender identity determined at birth" in schools and other educational institutions, as well as to "prohibit the activities of associations and implementation of lectures and training aimed at promoting homosexuality, gender reassignment and deviation from the gender identity determined at birth". Juraj Hips, one of the signatories of the call, noted in this regard that young LGBTI people can be found in many schools across Slovakia, adding that the role of the education minister is to create an environment in schools and educational facilities in which all children and young people, including LGBTI people, can feel safe. "That is why we are calling on Jan Horecky to publicly condemn the amendment and urge MPs not to vote for it even at its first reading," said Hips. The signatories of the appeal stressed that this is the least the minister can do to create a safe and respectful environment for all children. The amendment is due to be voted on in Parliament in the next few days. zel/df