For a nation that has given us so much wonderful porn, the Czech Republic seems really messed up when it comes to gays.
Last year, former Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek resigned as the head of the conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS) after telling a gay magazine that a gay person is someone who “gives in when he faces a serious problem.”
More recently, deputy chancellor Petr Hajek harshly criticized the upcoming Prague Pride parade on August 13. “[The parade] is a political demonstration … of a world in which sexual or any other deviation is elevated to a virtue, abnormality to a norm, the destruction of society to holy progress.” Hajek said. “The homosexuals’ pressure action that will take place under the ‘pretty Czech name’ gay parade in Prague is not any innocent entertainment.” Hajek called on Prague mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, who supports the LGBT event, to leave the ODS.
Politicians in the Social Democrat and Public Affairs Parties condemned Hajek, but current prime minister Vaclav Klaus (right) refused to distance himself from the chancellor’s words. “Though the statements were not mine and I would probably choose slightly different words,” Klaus said. “I do not feel any pride in the event either.”
How about we take this to the next level?
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A hundred koruna sat Klaus and Hajek hang out on weekends beating it to bootleg Brandon Manilow DVDs.
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EdWoody
Seriously – copy-editing, people. A little goes a long way.
Mark
You would think that the politicians of a country that suffered the brutal occupation of first the Nazis, then the Soviets would be more respectful of diversity.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
@Mark:
I’ve learned over the years that the great majority of people who lived in former communist countries tend to be extremely right-wing. Which is funny, because the American right is constantly claiming liberals are communists.
Cinesnatch
RE: The last sentence.
I love how the currency bills sat a club to a table while masturbating to an old crooner. Makes me think of School House Rock for some reason.
Schlukitz
@Mark:
It is a well-known fact that child-abuse, without psychological intervention, very often ishanded down from generation to generation.
And so it it that those who were themselves the victims of oppression, often become the next generation of oppressors.
Kev C
@Schlukitz: I don’t think anyone is afraid of being oppressed by the kook machine Czech government. A country that has become isolated in the international community because it’s run by comical nutters. The Czech government is the world’s largest importer of tinfoil hats.
Mr. E
I’d like to point out that Vaclav Klaus is the PRESIDENT of the Czech Republic, not the Prime Minister! He’s the head of state, not the head of government.
Jim Hlavac
I’d like to point out that not one of my cousins in the Czech Republic — dozens of them (ja mam hodine synoveci — I have lots of cousins) — (se kdo muzu mluvit ceske — with who I can speak Czech) — nor any of their friends (Ne ani jejich prateli, mam hodine tam) — I got a lot there) are remotely anti-gay.
This seems to be another example of political posturing and not societal reality.
The gay bars of Prague are fine, and I’ve had fun in them (blazeny Americke jako jsem. Crazy American like I am.)
So it appears, just like in this country — family, friends and people have no problem with gay folks — but political nonsense continues.
Disney Princess From Hell
I had the pleasure of studying abroad in Prague during the summer of 2007. I never noticed any homophobia and there is a vibrant gay community there. The Czech people seemed to have a positive view of Klaus (who was in power then as well) but I think a lot of his appeal was his anti-communist past. He did exhibit bravery back in the 1980s when he stood up to the communist regime. But I think the Czechs take his views on homosexuality and global warming with a grain of salt. In sum, I attribute this more to Klaus than the Czech Republic. And for the love of God, don’t boycott Bel Ami!
Jirka
Klaus is an enmbarrasment and his aide Hajek whom he backed is outright crazy – he belives in 9/11 conspiracy, denies evolution, thinks bin Ladin is a media fiction, exhibits Confedaration flag at his weekend home. However this antigay attitudes are in the minority even on the right wing. The present uproar started by Hajek criticising the mayor of Prague for being the patron of the Gay Parade – the mayor is a member of the ruling right-wing party which Klaus founded.
Btw. Klaus is rumoured to be gay and is called “Kikina” by the LGBT community in Prague. Mostly it is just a joke inspired by the way he talks but a lot of people believe that.
Keizers
You could Bel Ami, you could also boycott Falcon and you would get as far. Bel Ami is Slovak, not Czech!
Keizers
Also – the problem is with closet-queen Klaus. Not with the country!