LGBT rights in the Republic of Macedonia

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Republic of Macedonia may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in the Republic of Macedonia, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.

Law in the LGBT rights area
Homosexuality was outlawed in the Republic of Macedonia until 1996, when the country decriminalized sex between people of the same sex as a condition for becoming a member of the Council of Europe.

Anti-discrimination laws
From 2008 to 2010 the Macedonian LGBTs were protected from discrimination in the area of employment. In the beginning of 2010 however, while revising the anti-discrimination law, the country's parliament removed sexual orientation from the list of protected grounds. Currently there are no laws protecting the LGBT citizens of the country from discrimination or hate crimes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Recognition of same sex relationships
There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples. The law defines marriage as "a union between a man and a woman".

Living conditions
The gay scene in Macedonia is very small. There are a few gay-friendly establishments in Skopje and some bars organize "gay nights". The country itself is mainly homophobic. There are many stories about public humiliations, worker firings and even casting homosexual teenagers onto the streets due to revelation of their sexual orientations.

Surveys
A survey carried out in 2002 by The Center for Civil and Human rights showed that more than 80% of the people saw homosexuality as "a psychiatric disorder that endangered families". About 65% answered that "being gay is a crime that warranted a jail term." Young men and inhabitants of larger towns are generally more liberal in their attitudes towards homosexuality than elderly people, women and rural inhabitants. Another survey carried out & organized by the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation-MCIC in 2010, showed that more than 70% of the respondents wouldn't like having a homosexual as a neighbor.

LGBT rights organizations
There are three main organizations and a support center working in the area of LGBT rights:

LGBT United (Macedonian: ЛГБТ Јунајтед) is a recently formed organization which works exclusively for protecting LGBT rights in the country. It plans to organize the first ever pride parade in Skopje in late June 2013.

EGAL (Macedonian: ЕГАЛ) is the oldest organization working in the area of gay/lesbian health issues. It's also one of the main supporters of the Dzunitsa film festival which shows LGBT themed films.

Coalition "Sexual and Health Rights of Marginalized Communities" (Macedonian: Коалиција „Сексуални и здравствени права на маргинализираните заедници“) works partially in the LGBT rights area and organizes different events for promoting equality.

LGBTI Support Center - (Macedonian: ЛГБТИ Центар за поддршка) is a subsidiary of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia located in Skopje that works on changing the legal and social status of the LGBTI people in Macedonia] through community strengthening, advocacy and free legal aid.