Lezbijska grupa Kontra, Kralja Držislava 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Tel: 098/238 308, Faks: 01/457 33 72

Iskorak, Preradovićeva 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Tel: 01/4846 681, Faks: 01/4846 996

Zagreb, 08.07.2013.

Dear delegates,

Thank you once more for choosing Zagreb as the venue for the ILGA Europe Annual
Conference 2013. Members and volunteers of Iskorak - Sexual and Gender Minorities' Rights Center and Lesbian Group Kontrawill ensure that your time spent in our city during the conference is productive and enjoyable.

Zagreb is an old city. For centuries it has been a focal point of culture and science, and now of commerce and industry as well. Zagreb can offer its visitors the Baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town, picturesque open-air markets, diverse shopping facilities, an abundant selection of crafts and a choice vernacular cuisine. Zagreb is a city of green parks and walks, with many places to visit in the beautiful surroundings. In spite of the rapid development of the economy and transportation, it has retained its charm, and a relaxed feeling that makes it a genuinely human city.

Lesbian Group Kontra and Iskorak - Sexual and Gender Minorities' Rights Centerstarted collaboratingin the field of LGBTI rights advocacy in the spring of 2002, which also marked the beginning of more intense advocacy for the protection of LGBTI rights within the Croatian legal system. Since 2002 Kontra and Iskorak have been actively advocating for the rights of same-sex couples, including the right to marriage and common law marriage.

The last ten years have marked a great milestone for the LGBTI community in Croatia at the legal level. However, family life of same sex couples is not protected by law. Croatian Same-Sex Unions Act does not provide legal protection of family life of same-sex couples and their children. After the parliamentary elections in Croatia in 2011 the new government started to prepare the Life Partnership Act that would allow registration of same sex couples but which would exclude adoption and possibly many other rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

This year is therefore a crucial occasion for Croatia and the Croatian LGBTI movement to give a clear and unequivocal statement to the government, that LGBTI persons seek full equality. The theme of the conference, ‘Family matters! – Reaching out to hearts and minds’, fits into the national strategy and efforts for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hosting the 17th ILGA Europe Annual Conference gives us a sense of responsibility and joy. We will do our utmost to make you feel at home. We look forward to welcoming you all.

Kindest regards,

Sanja Juras, coordinator of the Lesbian Group Kontra

Edo Bulić, coordinator of Iskorak