The thesis focuses on the issue of homophobia in Europe, which gays and lesbians face in both the public and private spheres. The work draws attention to the lack of relevant research in this area, especially the critical lack of research on homophobia in the health system. It also illustrates the shortcomings of the system of police records in reporting hate crimes, which in many cases are considered an ordinary crime or are taken lightly, so it often remains unreported. Despite the persistence of the heteronormative matrix, which permeates all aspects of social life, the diploma thesis nevertheless notes that the level of homophobia in Europe is slowly declining – most rapidly in Western Europe and the Nordic countries. Nowadays, gays and lesbians are more legally protected, and the social distance to them is decreasing, which is especially evident in the growing acceptance of same-sex marriages and – to a lesser extent – adoptions by same-sex couples.
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