The City of Ljubljana Administration and the Ljubljana Health Centre are the first recipients of the “LGBT-friendly” certificate in the City of Ljubljana.

The City of Ljubljana is with its activities devoted to various vulnerable groups which also include the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Based on various studies and the general social climate we find that it is necessary to raise public awareness about this topic which is too marginalised. The LGBT persons are faced with predicaments, problems and discrimination that heterosexual persons sometimes do not even notice since they have their position and find their view self-evident (e.g. a conversation about partner, a conversation about children).

Because of this we decided to establish a “LGBT-friendly” certificate in the City of Ljubljana in cooperation with non-governmental organisations, which will create a climate in the working environment and one directed towards customers that will be positive for everyone.

The certificate awarded by MOL may be obtained by the interested organisation (with the private or public private entity status) on the basis of application and meeting the following two criteria:

- management staff training
- transfer of knowledge to their colleagues

The City of Ljubljana will on the basis of fulfilled criteria grant the “LGBT-friendly” certificate to the organisation in form of a document and “LGBT-friendly” sticker and posters to place them at a visible location at the organisation’s entrance. After receiving the certificate, the organisation’s management will make sure that the idea of equal approach to everyone and ensuring of fundamental human rights is taken into account by the employees and that this attitude is shown towards their customers.

The first two organisations that on Tuesday, 23 September 2014, received the abovementioned certificate are the City of Ljubljana Administration and the Ljubljana Health Centre that ensure to undertake the following with the “LGBT-friendly” certificate:

- better understanding of fundamental human rights of the LGBT persons
- inclusive environment for LGBT colleagues
- raising awareness among the employed with respect to providing the offer and services for LGBT users
- higher sensibility for the detection of violations of the rights of LGBT persons in the working and user environments

However, at the end of 2013 the Rainbow Ljubljana booklet was published, presenting the LGBT activities in Ljubljana and Slovenia (see attachment). It featured in the Ljubljana – Healthy City book series, which is published by the Department of Health and Social Security at MOL.

Department of Health and Social Security at the City of Ljubljana