Being honest with himself is most important

Daniel (he/him/they), IKEA co-worker, 39

Daniel lives in somewhat of a bubble on the outskirts of a city in the Czech Republic. But his bubble didn’t just happen. It’s one he and his partner, Martin, have intentionally cultivated.

They bought a plot of land and built a home surrounded by nature and a field of neighbouring horses. As they invite us inside their world, it’s clear that every detail adds to their story. Art from around the world, but found locally, are a nod to their story of love, collections, and a carefully crafted home.   

Daniel works in the IKEA Service Office, so he often starts his morning routine with a coffee while standing at his laptop. It’s placed on an adjustable DJ table because he’s so tall.  

Coming out

Daniel came out during his military service in the late 90s. There was no dramatic unveiling of himself because as he explains it, “they already knew”. Daniel’s story is one that any LGBT+ person could only hope for. The coming out was easy, and everyone accepted it. Even as a soldier, he says everyone knew he was gay, and it was never a problem. For Daniel, it didn’t matter much whether he was accepted or not. Being honest with himself was the most important.

Love story

Daniel and Martin met during an education to become tourist guides. After a week’s exam trip to Croatia, they found love and have been together ever since. Before moving to their small village, they spent two years living in Slovakia, and a year in a region near the German border. In neither Czechia nor Slovakia, did they have any issues finding housing or being together. As registered partners, Daniel and Martin are the ninth registered same-sex couple in the whole of the Czech Republic. Local authorities actually used them as a form of training on how to register future same-sex couples.

Challenges and hate

Twenty years ago, it was easy for him. It was easy to be who he was and to embrace his sexuality. However, now he is starting to see a shift. Even though he’s been living with his partner since 1994, they can’t be legally married. Although they have the registered partnership, the law doesn’t give recognise it as a legal marital relationship. So, if either of them passes away, the other has no legal entitlement to all the things they’ve built together. There have been recent changes in Czechia’s laws about gay marriage. It’s now not just unapproved, it has been actually banned. Politicians are stating that homosexual love goes against nature. Worse than that, he is sensing a change in the broader society’s acceptance. Daniel and Martin now feel it’s become necessary to explain to both politicians and regular people how important it is to be treated as humans. 

The role IKEA plays in his story

His work at IKEA has connected him with NGOs that support LGBT+ people. For example, there is a yearly charity run. The money raised is used to educate people on not being afraid. It connects them with someone who will listen and support them in the hard moments of life. In his role as a Communications Business partner, Daniel ensures activation of many of the IKEA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, something he is proud to have a personal connection to.

Love at home

Daniel feels his life can be an example for young people afraid of coming out. He had support from his family growing up. His friends in the military were accepting. And the small village where he currently lives is a sanctuary. Daniel’s message to the world is that with a foundation of love and support at home, a person coming out can have a beautiful story.