State Secretary Wears Croatian Jersey to Pride, Declares Croatia Big Enough for All Colors

State Secretary Nevenka Lastrić-Đurić made a notable appearance at the 25th Zagreb Pride march, advocating for LGBTIQ+ equality. She arrived wearing a Croatian football jersey, a striking visual that garnered significant media attention.

During the event, which proceeded under the slogan "Our families are families," Lastrić-Đurić conveyed a message of unity. "Croatia is large enough for all its colors," she stated in a brief but impactful address to Večernji list. She further emphasized that Croatia "is strongest when the majority protects the minority and when we build a society of mutual respect together."

The march itself saw thousands of participants advocating for full LGBTIQ+ equality. While Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević was present, Lastrić-Đurić's participation stood out among state officials. The procession moved from Zrinjevac to Park dr. Franje Tuđmana, where organizers read a political proclamation. They acknowledged legal advancements like the Civil Partnership Act but stressed that key rights, including full adoption and adequate protection for trans, non-binary, and intersex individuals, remain unachieved.

Lastrić-Đurić, 33, is a prominent young politician within the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and holds the distinction of being the youngest state secretary in Croatia. Appointed in 2024 to the Ministry of the Interior (MUP), her responsibilities include international cooperation, NATO and OECD matters, and Croatia's collaboration with Ukraine. She holds a law degree from the University of Zagreb, specialized in European law in Belgium, and earned a master's in public international law from American University in Washington D.C. Prior to her government role, she worked in prosecution and later as a policy advisor for Central and Eastern Europe at the U.S. State Department.

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