Since independence (in 1990) and the elections in 2000 much has changed in Croatia. The situation for gays and lesbians has been improving rapidly. Homosexuals are more accepted in larger cities than in rural areas. Homosexuality has become an issue of public discussion and homosexuals and lesbians has become more visible in society with homosexuality no longer being such a taboo as it was. Croatian LGBT organisations are well-organised and annual events such as the Zagreb Pride and Queer Zagreb, which is the largest festival of its kind in East and Central Europe, has been organised in the capital since 2001. There have also been huge legal advancements in Croatia in particular in 2003 the Croatian Parliament passed Partnership laws and introduced broad anti-discrimination laws. These changes have made the Croatian legislation one of the most progressive in East and Central Europe. Hate-crimes and violence towards LGBT persons are rare but increasing with the greater visibility of gays and lesbians. Violence and attacks on homosexuals are mostly conducted by neo-nazis and skinheads - most of them teenagers. Croatia has more than a thousand islands including lots of gay (nudist) beaches and is a popular European holiday destination. The gay scene in Zagreb is small but developing year by year. There are a number of gay clubs, bars, saunas and video-stores in Zagreb. In tourist-resorts however there is no gay scene as such but there are known cruising grounds where gays meet.

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In 1977 homosexuality was decriminalised. In 1998, the Criminal Code of Croatia was amended to equalise the age of consent. The section on sexual assaults also now treats heterosexual and homosexual assaults equally. In July 2003 anti-hate laws were introduced. The propagation of homophobic material is punishable by up to one years imprisonment. Broad anti-discrimination laws were also introduced banning discrimination in the work place, in educational establishments and in the media on the ground of sexual orientation. There is also a Gender Equality Law as follows: "Any discrimination based on marriage or family status, or sexual orientation is forbidden." Finally partnership legislation was introduced giving same-sex partners of at least three years the same rights as unmarried cohabiting opposite-sex partners. Rights include right the legal regulation of property on separation or death, mutual responsibility for financial support and maintenance and inheritance rights.

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Kuna HRK

The best time to visit Croatia are the summer months between May and September.

Croatia has two distinct climatic regions; a Mediterranean climate along the Adriatic coast which is characterised by short mild winters and long warm summers and a continental climate on the Pannonian Plain which is characterised by extreme heat in summer and subzero temperatures in winter. Average annual precipitation is 870 mm while average temperature ranges in Split are from 8.5c in January to 26c in July.

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