Same-sex marriages should be legalized in Croatia

Same-sex marriages are marriages between two individuals of the same sex or gender. They are also known as gay marriages. Although there are significant advances towards enhanced rights of LGBT community, when viewed globally, LGBT community is still heavily discriminated. LGBT rights have been enhanced in Croatia during last decade, yet there is still a significant lack in achieving full legal equality of LGBT community members. One of most visible inequalities affecting LGBT community is right to get married which is banned in Croatia. Same- sex marriage represents one of fundamental rights of LGBT population. It is a necessary step towards their inclusion as full-fledged citizens. Same-sex marriages should be legalized as an important part of achieving legal equality of all citizens. Legal equality is not the only aspect of achieving equality as visible in cultural oppression and cultural imperialism which have to be eradicated. Dominant culture cannot be known as something natural and universal anymore, and equal legal status is an important step in that direction.

The institution of marriage has to be available for everyone. Two individuals make this lifetime commitment to support and love each other. Same-sex couples deserve to be treated as everyone else. Right to marriage is one of the fundamental human rights. Every country which find itself as democratic should be aware of that. Further, same- sex couples have major difficulties when it comes to social security and medical care. In a situation where one of the partners suffer from incurable disease, the other has no legal rights to make medical decisions or, in some cases, even to visit him/her.

There are a few arguments against samesex marriages, coming mainly from Catholic church. Catholic church believes that in the case of legalization, religious freedom will be harmed. Moreover, it is said that growing up in a family where parents are both male, or both women is unhealthy. Supporters of gay marriages say that non-religious freedom is harmed by providing basic human rights to a group of people. If both parents are loving and caring, the child cannot be harmed in any way.

A couple of months ago, Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic announced that there is a possibility for legalization of same-sex marriages in Croatia. This announcement started numerous disapprovals among believers (mostly Catholics) and conservatives. Parallel to this, for the tenth time, Zagreb Pride was held. It was the most visited Pride in Zagreb ever. A week prior to Zagreb, Pride was held in Split. This time, Pride went without major incidents, mostly due to heavy police security, without which there would be bloodshed, illustrating just how far Croatia still is from achieving equality for all its citizens.

The institution of marriage is not something exclusive. Everyone deserve to enjoy this right. Croatia should solve this problem and become the role model to other countries which discriminate against fundamental rights of LGBT population.