Kiska calls for discussion on rights of same-sex couples

President Andrej Kiska called for a public discussion on enacting legal protection for same-sex couples after meeting representatives of the Inakost initiative on Monday. Kiska is convinced that it would serve the public interest to ameliorate the needless obstacles and problems faced by LGBTI couples in their everyday lives. "The legal system is often literally cruel to them in normal personal affairs - such as leaving them unable to act as a close person to their loved ones in order to inform themselves about their health or in practical housing-related issues, inheritance, etc.," claimed the President. Andrej Kiska voiced his understanding that the issue had stirred up heated emotions three years ago and invited hatred into society with respect to an invalid referendum on the family. "Unfortunately, this resulted in the termination of any rational efforts to provide at least a minimal standard of legal protection for individuals living outside of wedlock. Of course, I'm talking about a standard that would respect the current valid constitutional protection extended to the institution of marriage," said Kiska, who urged society to return to a discussion that should be led in a humane fashion and in a climate of mutual respect.