Slovak Pastor Finds Acceptance in Czech Republic

Why this is here: Hankovský experienced roughly two years of anxiety and panic attacks before acknowledging his sexual orientation, highlighting the internal struggle he faced.

Emil Hankovský, a Slovak Evangelical pastor, left Slovakia for the Czech Republic after coming out as gay. He describes a period of intense anxiety and panic attacks preceding his self-acceptance.

Church leaders in Slovakia advised him to remain in his marriage, a suggestion he resisted. He then initiated divorce proceedings and faced a church tribunal.

Hankovský notes the Czech Evangelical Church welcomed him differently than the church in Slovakia, offering a more accepting approach to minority sexual orientation. He began training as a psychotherapist, and now people seek his counsel and support. He shares that revealing his truth felt like his world was falling apart, especially given his role as a pastor and father to young children.

The church court process involved attempts to reconcile the marriage, despite knowledge of his sexual orientation. Hankovský continues his work as a pastor in the Czech Republic, offering guidance to others. The article does not detail the long-term effects of this transition on his family.