In my master's thesis, I explored the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in Slovenia, including the personal stories of asexual, bisexual, homosexual, and transgender individuals. The thesis comprehensively addresses the historical, legal, and social position of the LGBTQIA+ community. Together, the theoretical and empirical parts offer a profound insight into their lives and reality. In the theoretical part of the thesis, I first described the concepts of sex assigned at birth, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and introduced the LGBTQIA+ acronym and the diversity within the community, before highlighting the multifaceted nature of the coming out process. Subsequently, I shed light on both positive and negative forms of societal thinking, behavior, and attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. This was followed by a historical and legal overview of the struggle for rights in Slovenia, highlighting the fundamental steps toward legislative equality, from the decriminalization of homosexuality to the full equalization of same-sex partnerships, while drawing attention to the still inadequate legal regulation regarding the status of transgender and intersex persons. A significant section also includes a review of previously conducted quantitative and qualitative research and their findings in this field. The empirical part of the thesis is based on qualitative research, within which I explored the everyday experiences of the participants by collecting, processing, and analyzing their personal accounts. This approach allowed me to ensure an in-depth understanding of the diversity and complexity of their experiences and to illuminate their lived experiences. The results of the research show that for the participants, coming out is a recurrent and often burdensome process associated with the fear of rejection, non-acceptance, and exclusion, which leads many individuals to conceal their sexual orientation and/or identity. The responses of the interviewed individuals emphasize the significance of support networks and sources of strength, which help them alleviate distress, overcome challenges, and cope with difficult moments. It has become evident that LGBTQIA+ individuals still too frequently encounter stigma, stereotypes, and marginalization in relationships, institutions, and the general public. Empathy, solidarity, and justice in both the immediate and broader environment are therefore crucial for a dignified life in accordance with their true selves. Finally, the participants share their own wishes and suggestions for achieving true equality in Slovenian society.
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