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Serbia's Pride Used to Project Democracy, But Hate Crimes Rise, Advocate Says
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Elections & Politics

Serbia's Pride Used to Project Democracy, But Hate Crimes Rise, Advocate Says

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Pride events in Serbia have often been used internationally to showcase the country's democratization, but this image contrasts with rising hate crimes and hate speech, according to an LGBTQ+ rights advocate.
  • The first Pride in Serbia 25 years ago was met with police refusal to guarantee safety, and a 2009 attempt was effectively banned.
  • While Serbia adopted an anti-discrimination law in 2009 including sexual orientation, key legislation for registered same-sex unions and gender identity is still missing, hindering LGBTQ+ rights and recognition.

Pride events in Serbia have frequently served as a tool to project an image of democratization to the international community, according to Jelena Vasiljeviฤ‡ of the organization Dugina iskra. She noted that the first Pride, 25 years ago, was met with police inability to ensure safety, and a similar situation occurred in 2009 when an attempt to hold the event was effectively banned.

Pride in Serbia has very often been used as an instrument for showcasing the democratization of Serbian society at the international level.

โ€” Jelena Vasiljeviฤ‡Vasiljeviฤ‡'s assessment of the role of Pride events in Serbia's international image.

"Only after the chaos on the streets of Belgrade during Pride in 2010 did the state react more clearly to the organization of the Pride Parade," Vasiljeviฤ‡ stated. She explained that while it was opportune to present Serbia as a democratic society capable of organizing such an event, the reality on the ground, including rising hate crimes and hate speech in the media, did not reflect this image.

Only after the chaos on the streets of Belgrade during Pride in 2010 did the state react more clearly to the organization of the Pride Parade.

โ€” Jelena Vasiljeviฤ‡Vasiljeviฤ‡ discussing the state's response to Pride events.

Vasiljeviฤ‡ highlighted the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Law in 2009, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual characteristics, as a significant achievement. However, she stressed the lack of implementation of existing laws and the urgent need for two specific laws: one on registered same-sex unions and another on gender identity. These laws are crucial for regulating the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and ensuring their recognition as citizens.

The Anti-Discrimination Law has been significant, and since 2009 it has included a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual characteristics.

โ€” Jelena Vasiljeviฤ‡Vasiljeviฤ‡ on the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights legislation.

The law on registered same-sex unions, Vasiljeviฤ‡ explained, would address practical aspects of life such as hospital visits, loans, and tax benefits. The absence of these legal frameworks continues to impede the full recognition and rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Serbia.

What is definitely missing is the application of existing legal norms, and what we need most right now are two existing laws โ€“ the Law on Registered Same-Sex Unions and the Law on Gender Identity โ€“ so that we can regulate our lives and be recognized as citizens of this country.

โ€” Jelena Vasiljeviฤ‡Vasiljeviฤ‡ explaining the current legislative gaps for the LGBTQ+ community.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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