Upon the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia celebrated on 17 May, Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina emphasises that prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion due to sexual orientation, sexual identity, and other personal circumstances are unfortunately still present in society, hence it is important that we nurture a culture of tolerance and inclusion in various segments of society, each in our own respective fields. “I often highlight the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. The environment in which we live can ease our life or make it miserable. It can discriminate against us, stereotypes us or creates equal opportunities and conditions for a comparable quality of life for all and accepts people regardless of their personal circumstances. I also frequently state that it is unacceptable that any group is pushed to the margins of society and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of this group and people belonging to it disregarded. The attitude of the state and society towards the most vulnerable is its best mirror to itself,” added Ombudsman Svetina.