A recent amendment concerning LGBTQ+ rights has passed in Slovakia, as it officially stipulates that from now on only the two biological genders will be legally recognized.

The amendment passed in the Slovak parliament last Friday. It includes measures such as the formal establishment of a “gender binary” and stricter requirements for same-sex couples wishing to adopt children — making adoption practically impossible for them.

“There are two genders, male and female, determined at birth,” Fico stated in January when the amendment was introduced.

“Gender cannot be changed except for serious reasons, according to procedures that will be defined by law,” Fico added.

Hungary has adopted a similar stance.

After the vote, Michal Simecka, leader of the strongest opposition party in parliament, Progressive Slovakia, said that the amendment “will harm the people of the country and will call into question Slovakia’s place in the EU and its legal framework.”