Chisinau, Moldova LGBTQ+ Facts
LGBTQ+ folks in Moldova may experience legal, social challenges and discrimination that non-LGBTQ+ residents do not. In addition, households with same-sex couples are not eligible for the same benefits as households with opposite-sex couples. Same-sex unions are also not recognized in Moldova. As a result, same-sex couples have few legal protections. However, Moldova does prohibit discrimination due to sexual orientation in the workplace, and since 1995, same-sex sexual activity has been legal.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Moldova has been heavily influenced by the Orthodox Christian Church. Because of this, LGBTQ+ rights have suffered.
In 2002, Moldova held its first pride parade. Since then, pride events and parades have had opposition from authorities and religious leaders and have been cancelled for safety reasons. However, in 2018, a successful pride parade occurred in Chișinău, and police officials took extra precautions to protect the community from violent radical Orthodox groups.
Moldovan society continues to be very traditional, and there is continual discrimination and violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2018, when ILGA-Europe released their rankings, they put Moldova in 43rd position out of 49 European countries for LGBTQ+ legislation. However, this number is actually an improvement from six years before, when Moldova had ranked in last place.
Mental Health in Chisinau, Moldova
Depression is a significant health issue in Moldova. For example, up to 25 percent of the population suffers from varying degrees of depression.
Depression has also become more prevalent among children, teens and young people in Moldova, according to Nicolae Rosca, head of the Control and Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases Division of the Chisinau Public Health Center.
If you know a young person who may benefit from mental health treatment in the Chisinau region, be sure to navigate our listings at LGBTQ and ALL. In addition, we have various resources, tools, and information about mental health that can be helpful in your journey.
Top Features
Chișinău is the capital of the Republic of Moldova. You can find Soviet-style architecture featuring landmarks like the neoclassical Nativity Cathedral in this city. This dome-topped church is one of the main attractions of Chișinău’s Cathedral Park, a plaza with a Triumphal Arch. In addition, this sight was created in celebration of Russia’s 19th-century victory over the Ottoman Empire. Also, Stephen, the Great Central Park is named after a Moldovan prince who withstood Ottoman rule.
Facts
- Chisinau is also referred to as “The White Stone Town.” This name comes from the various buildings constructed of limestone.
- In 1812, Chisinau was given the status of a town and turned into an administrative hub and capital of the Basarabia region in 1818.
- Northern and central Moldova is known as a forest zone, with a steppe belt that crosses the south. As a result, there are more than 1,500 plant species in the republic, with scenic forests that cover approximately 1,150 square miles.
History/Data
Chisinau was founded in 1436 as a monastery village. It was first mentioned in 1436 when the Moldavian princes Ilie and Ştefan provided several towns with the common name Cheseni near the Akbash. They did so to one feudal lord Oancea due to his excellent service.
In 2012, the population of Chisinau was 669,694 residents.