Slovenian Lawmaker Apologizes for Homophobic Remarks

Slovenian lawmaker Lenart Žavbi issued a public apology for remarks he made during a parliamentary committee meeting that were widely condemned as homophobic. The controversy erupted Tuesday when Žavbi, a member of the Freedom Movement party, questioned the funding of the institution for the advocate of the principle of equality. He stated that additional money was given "with Vaseline," a comment that drew sharp criticism.

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The intention of the word is not important, the consequence is important. And the consequence is that an individual and part of the public were hurt by this remark.

Miha Lobnik, the current advocate whose second five-year term ends in October, took personal offense to the remark. Lobnik, a former activist for LGBTQ+ rights, called the statement personally insulting and demanded an explanation. He also requested that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Zoran Stevanović, address the incident according to the parliamentary code of ethics.

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That I did not have you in mind when making the remark does not absolve me from recognizing the broader context. Especially in the extremely globally charged atmosphere, one must be extremely attentive to such moments. Therefore, please accept my sincerest apologies.

In response, Žavbi posted a public apology on social media, acknowledging the impact of his words. He stated that his comment was not intended to suppress or humiliate any social group, but recognized that the consequence was that individuals and the public were hurt. "The intention of the word is not important, the consequence is important," Žavbi wrote. He extended his sincerest apologies to Lobnik and the public, emphasizing the need for greater awareness regarding such language, especially in the current global climate.

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Words are also actions, words hurt, and words can cause social inequalities. May my apology contribute at least a little to the awareness of this.

Žavbi further expressed a desire for the incident to serve as a learning opportunity for everyone, not just himself. "Words are also actions, words hurt, and words can cause social inequalities," he stated, hoping his apology would contribute to a heightened awareness of this fact. The apology comes amidst broader societal discussions, following a rally in Ljubljana that was condemned by President Nataša Pirc Musar for displaying Nazi iconography and homophobic slurs, which she denounced as hate speech rather than patriotism.

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The referee is not acting fairly. This is oppression, blatant oppression. He is throwing away the work of an entire country from the beginning of the match, constantly coming at us.