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Piece Description
Under Romanian law, homosexuality was illegal until 2002 when it was decriminalised as a prerequisite for Romania's membership in the Council of Europe. Life today is still not easy for gay Romanians. According to the 2008 Euro Barometer study, Romania is the most homophobic country in the EU. EU membership has helped (Romania joined the EU in 2007), by pushing anti-discrimination laws. But there is still a way's to go in combatting stereotypes.
Broadcast History
This piece was produced for Radio France International.
Transcript
Romania joined the EU in 2007. While the country sees EU integration as mainly an economic benefit, membership also brings cultural changes.
Romania’s stance on homosexuality reveals a tension, between the Orthodox Christian values, and the EU values of tolerance.
Bucharest, the capital, has only two gay-friendly places- a club, and here, the Soho lounge- a café/bar in the old city center.
The owner, 35-year-old Horatio Birka, gives a tour
Inside, the lights are dimmed. It’s a modern space, with black and white photos on the wall. Birka opened the bar in December, and it quickly became so popular he took over the basement area and turned it into a club.
Soho lounge does not have a rainbow flag out front, or any outward indication it’s a gay bar.
"It’s because uh- the mentality in Romania- people don’t want to be cast of going into a gay place. It’s my style. I don’t feel th...
Read the full transcript
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