Interactive map honors LGBTQ+ people’s historic presence in Prague

• The "Queer Prague" (Teplá Praha) project, an interactive map launched by the NGO Společnost Pro Queer Pamět, documents historical sites and figures associated with the LGBTQ+ community in Prague.
• Despite increasing public support for marriage equality in the Czech Republic, the community continues to face political scapegoating, with prominent politicians often labeling gender diversity as a "foreign import."
• The map features 160 locations, highlighting that queer individuals have been an integral part of Czech history and culture for centuries.

Political Context and Challenges

• While the Czech Republic is considered relatively tolerant for the region, LGBTQ+ rights are frequently exploited by right-wing politicians for ideological purposes.
• Same-sex marriage bills remain unratified by parliament, despite nearly two-thirds of the public supporting them.
• Over 40% of Czech LGBTQ+ people report experiencing abuse, yet more than 90% of victims do not file official complaints due to a culture of impunity.
• Recent incidents include anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from high-level officials, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Petr Macinka, who dismissed gender identity as a "social construct" during the February 2026 Munich Security Conference.

The "Queer Prague" Initiative

• Originating from a 2009 academic conference on homosexuality in Czech science, the project transitioned from academic books to a printed guide, and finally to an online interactive map.
• The map tracks historical occurrences dating back to 1376, covering various eras including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the First Republic, World War II, and the socialist regime.
• Representative Ladislav Jackson notes that the project aims to move beyond "tragic stories" found in judicial archives, showcasing how historical figures like artists Jan Zrzavý and Toyen successfully navigated their lives and expressed their identity.
• The initiative emphasizes that documenting queer history is essential for the ongoing advocacy and defense of human rights in modern society.