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Low Voter Turnout Dooms Antigay Laws in Slovakia

Low Voter Turnout Dooms Antigay Laws in Slovakia

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Slovakia's voters mostly ignored two proposed antigay laws placed on the ballot.

Nbroverman

Slovak voters decided they had better things to do on Saturday than vote in two harsh antigay laws -- the proposals to ban same-sex marriage and adoption by gays and lesbians failed because of lower voter turnout.

Only about 21 percent of voters showed up at polls to weigh in on the proposals; at least half of registered voters are needed for a referendum to be deemed valid, the Washington Blade reports.

Pope Francis supported the antigay laws and billboards declaring his position were erected throughout the predominantly-Roman Catholic nation. Slovakia, just north of Hungary, is sandwiched between liberal Western Europe and increasingly homophobic Eastern Europe and Russia.

"Despite attempts by anti-equality campaigners and various organizations (from both inside and outside Slovakia) to marginalize LGBTI families, the majority of the Slovakian public rejected their controversial tactics," said ILGA-Europe in a statement. "Today's result confirms that the electorate saw through the homophobic propaganda and were not willing to be part of a movement that discriminates against their fellow citizens."

Nbroverman
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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.