Well-known gay and lesbian rights activist Jiří Hromada has become the first openly homosexual candidate to run for the Senate in the Czech Republic. Nominated by the Green Party April 19, Hromada’s name will be on the ballot in the upcoming fall elections.
Following reports of his nomination, news servers such as Novinky and Aktuálně.cz had to shut down online discussions because they were full of homophobic and vulgar comments. The right-wing extremist National Party immediately issued a press statement branding Hromada a “homosexual deviant.” Despite years of hard work by many gay and lesbian activists, it seemed from such reactions that homophobic feelings are still a part of the national culture, and Hromada’s candidacy in the upcoming election could serve as a test of the public’s tolerance and open-mindedness.

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