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Fri, Feb 10 2012
Authorities pledge protection for Serbian gay pride parade
An archive photo of the 2008 gay pride event in Sofia, the first of its kind in the Bulgarian capital.
Serbian authorities have repeated pledges to provide adequate police protection so that a gay pride event planned for Belgrade on September 20 2009 can proceed safely.
The event was announced several months ago but recently there has been an upswing in homophobic graffiti and threats from extremist groups to attack the event.
A 2001 gay pride march in the Serbian capital was disrupted by protesters who assaulted participants.
Serbia's interior minister Ivica Dacic said on August 19 that there would be adequate police protection and no threats would be tolerated.
On August 8, Serbian news website B92 quoted the mayor of Belgrade, Dragan Dilas, as saying that while he did not support the event, it was important for it to go ahead without incident.
"I say what I believe—maybe I was raised patriarchal—but sexual orientation is a personal thing, and I do not know why anyone would have to come out with it in public, regardless of whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. I did not imperil anyone, I am not prohibiting anything, I just said that such an event will cause a reaction from those that destroy the city every several dozen days and I am expressing concern for the participators," Dilas said.
"The organisers of the Pride Parade want to remind the mayor that minority sexual orientations are not a private thing because people of other sexual orientations are subjected to violence and discrimination. We support the stance of the mayor that the Pride Parade will be adequately secured, and we remind that we submitted a request last week to the mayor regarding the Pride Parade, and we expect that he will accept us as his fellow citizens of the city," Majda Puača of the parade’s organization committee told B92.
On July 30, State Prosecution spokesperson Tomo Zoric said that the prosecutors’ office would undertake all measures within its power to protect participants in the parade.
Earlier, human rights state secretary Marko Karadzic spoke against the homophobic graffiti in the city, adding that such graffiti was bad for the image of Serbia and Belgrade.
Serbian human rights groups have called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the graffiti.
The event was announced several months ago but recently there has been an upswing in homophobic graffiti and threats from extremist groups to attack the event.
A 2001 gay pride march in the Serbian capital was disrupted by protesters who assaulted participants.
Serbia's interior minister Ivica Dacic said on August 19 that there would be adequate police protection and no threats would be tolerated.
On August 8, Serbian news website B92 quoted the mayor of Belgrade, Dragan Dilas, as saying that while he did not support the event, it was important for it to go ahead without incident.
"I say what I believe—maybe I was raised patriarchal—but sexual orientation is a personal thing, and I do not know why anyone would have to come out with it in public, regardless of whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. I did not imperil anyone, I am not prohibiting anything, I just said that such an event will cause a reaction from those that destroy the city every several dozen days and I am expressing concern for the participators," Dilas said.
"The organisers of the Pride Parade want to remind the mayor that minority sexual orientations are not a private thing because people of other sexual orientations are subjected to violence and discrimination. We support the stance of the mayor that the Pride Parade will be adequately secured, and we remind that we submitted a request last week to the mayor regarding the Pride Parade, and we expect that he will accept us as his fellow citizens of the city," Majda Puača of the parade’s organization committee told B92.
On July 30, State Prosecution spokesperson Tomo Zoric said that the prosecutors’ office would undertake all measures within its power to protect participants in the parade.
Earlier, human rights state secretary Marko Karadzic spoke against the homophobic graffiti in the city, adding that such graffiti was bad for the image of Serbia and Belgrade.
Serbian human rights groups have called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the graffiti.
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Church joins ultra-rightists and football fans in rejection of gay pride parade in Belgrade on September 20 2009, as the government in Belgrade pledges tight security against attacks on the event.
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US ambassador backs Rainbow Friendship Rally
Nancy McEldowney becomes second Western ambassador, after the UK’s Steve Williams, to issue a statement of support for Bulgaria’s second gay pride parade.
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The Sofia Echo
What if the government banned the rights of heterosexuals and treated them badly? I bet you would like that Cosmos. Maybe you should try to invent a time machine and go back to the medieval times, I bet you would like it.
By the way, I AM PROUD TO BE BISEXUAL.!!!!!!!!!!
Hex, peter, you both are ignorant nut jobs and i feel sorry for you.
No offense, but I find, a lot of what people on here say, rather disrespectful, naive and ignorant. It is understandable that every person has their own opinion and viewpoint, but people... keep it real, be respectful and accepting. Imgagine you heterosexuals were minority, how would you like that, and in addition, being treated badly and your life was made hell. I bet you would not like that. So, show a little more open mindedness and knowledge, as well as wisdom.
By the way, I AM
Well, if this parade is allowed to happen then shouldnt people be allowed to have a sheep love parade(some people really love their sheep). Or how about a polygomy parade? Dont they deserve equal rights to parade? See, you have to draw a line somewhere, I prefer to follow the natural order of thing.
It's issues like personal freedom that really show how primitive large segments of Serbian society actually are.
Serbs aren't used to personal freedom - centuries of living under Turks, then under communism. Unfortunately, this has left part of the Serbian sense of the individual and society in a mildly retarded state.
I see no quick solutions. Serbs (and other Balkans peoples) are simply 30 years behind in many ways.
Maybe stay home that day, Cosmos?
This comment has been hidden by the moderator because it contained дискриминация.
This comment has been hidden by the moderator because it contained дискриминация.
come on in Serbia!welcome :-)))))
hey Cosmos, you people have done MUCH worse than cramming your opinion down the throats of gays for centuries now.. you can give it out but cant take it being done to you eh ... VERY childish of you. ONLY Your ideals are being pushed where as your ideals imprison a whole group of your citizens. Not balanced at all.. you feel superior to others in your ego..
hey peter .. what if a whole mass of people dont believe in your pretend God.. a pretend God says nothing ... only bigots put words in the gods mouth as a tool to control others. Old story.. My God can beat up your god !
Freedom: That's right. The homosexuals have a right to try to "sell" themselves to the public as normal. You have the right to diagree and express your opinion, which you have already done.
But they also have the right to PUBLICLY express their opinion, just as you do. Get over it.
The issue is ALL about free speech. That is obvious to any Westerner. In the west, citizens have a right to publicly assemble peacefully and publicly demand that the govt take care of their interests.
Homosexual citizens share this right equally with heterosexual citizens. Quit thinking like your Turkish and Russian masters obviously taught you.
If you want to live in a country where the govt can ban parades because it doesn't like the message, then move to Russia or Turkey. You should feel comfortable there.
This parade has nothing to do with the freedom of speech, its about a bunch of queers trying to sell themselves to the public. It will not work you are not natural you are outcasts and always will be.
God created men and woman for a set purpose that is to go forth and multiply. Same sex relationships are not normal please ban this parade.
This comment has been hidden by the moderator because it contained квалификации.
Ever hear of freedom of speech, Cosmos? You have no right to ban public speech you do not like. I can see certain Western values are still foreign to you.
This comment has been hidden by the moderator because it contained квалификации.
You have your opinion and i have mine,this march should not happen we need more graffiti. What about the human rights of the people that do not want this kind of thing rammed down there throats ban this parade.