Out in Slovenia

Out in Slovenija (in English, Out in Slovenia; abbreviated OIS), whose full name is "Športno društvo Out in Slovenija" (Sports Association Out in Slovenia), is a non-profit organisation holding the status of a non-governmental organisation acting in the public interest in the field of sport. It works across sport, recreation, health, culture and human rights, with a focus on activities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) community. The organisation is headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It organises recreational, sporting, educational, cultural, social and entertainment activities and events, and enables participation in such events both in Slovenia and abroad. Its programme spans hiking, frisbee and other recreational sports, alongside social gatherings and community-building events. OIS is connected to the membership of international sports organisations — the EGLSF (European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation), the FGG (Federation of Gay Games) and the FARE network — as well as to the national Slovenian sport-for-all organisation ŠUS (Športna unija Slovenije), and to the umbrella network of Slovenian NGOs CNVOS (Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGOs). It also cooperates with other Slovenian organisations and associations. The organisation's beginnings reach back to the year 2000, and it was established as an independent association ten years later. In 2016, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport granted it the status of an association acting in the public interest (now the status of a non-governmental organisation in the public interest). As a community sports association rather than a commercial enterprise, OIS operates on a membership and volunteer basis, communicating with members and supporters through its website and email, and inviting participation in free activity weeks, sports days and regular general assemblies.

Out in Slovenija (OIS) traces its beginnings to the year 2000, when the first activities that would later form the organisation took place. It was established as an independent association ten years later, formally constituting itself as "Športno društvo Out in Slovenija" — the Sports Association Out in Slovenia. From its base in Ljubljana, the association developed a programme combining recreational and competitive sport with education, culture, health and human-rights work, all oriented toward the LGBTIQ+ community. Over time it built links with international sports bodies, joining the membership of the EGLSF (European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation), the FGG (Federation of Gay Games) and the FARE network, as well as the Slovenian sport-for-all organisation ŠUS (Športna unija Slovenije) and the NGO umbrella network CNVOS. A significant institutional milestone came in 2016, when the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport granted the organisation the status of an association acting in the public interest — a status that has since evolved into that of a non-governmental organisation in the public interest. This recognition reflected the association's role in promoting inclusion and equal participation in sport. In the years since, OIS has continued to run a regular calendar of activities: hikes, queer frisbee sessions, sports days, free activity weeks, educational and cultural events, and social gatherings. It communicates with its membership through its website and email, and holds regular general assemblies — for example, one announced for 23 March 2026 in Ljubljana. The association has also used its platform to gather data on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in Slovenian sport through an anonymous questionnaire on sport, inclusion and discrimination, asking where community members feel safe, included and accepted, and where they still do not. As a non-profit, volunteer-driven organisation, OIS does not operate as a commercial business; its continuity depends on members, partners and supporters, whom it regularly invites to participate in its activities and events in Slovenia and abroad.

• 2026

  Regular general assembly announced for 23 March 2026 in Ljubljana.

• 2016

  Ministry of Education, Science and Sport granted the status of an association acting in the public interest (now an NGO in the public interest).

• 2010

  Established as an independent association, formally as Športno društvo Out in Slovenija.

• 2000

  Beginnings of the organisation, with the first activities that would later form OIS.

A non-profit, public-interest LGBTIQ+ sports and community association in Slovenia, focused on inclusion, safety and acceptance in sport.

• OIS hikes (OIS Pohodi)

  Organised hiking activities for members and supporters.

• Queer Frisbee (Kvir Frizbi)

  Recreational frisbee sessions, e.g. held at 17:00 on 22 September.

• Sports day and social gathering

  A sports day with socialising and refreshments, e.g. on 6 December.

• Free activity week

  An extended week during which all activities are free of charge.

• Anonymous survey on LGBTQIA+ experiences in sport

  A questionnaire on sport, inclusion and discrimination in Slovenia.

1. 1Out in Slovenija – Šport, rekreacija in druženje za LGBTIQ+outinslovenija.com
2. 2Out in Slovenia – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Out in Slovenija – Wikipedia (Slovenian)sl.wikipedia.org