29/08/2012 | Writer: Kaos GL

Belgrade Pride Parade 2012 will be held from 30th September to October 7nd 2012 in Belgrade, while the Pride March will be held on 6th October 2012 in the centre of the city.

Invitation to the Belgrade Pride 2012 Kaos GL - News Portal for LGBTI+
Belgrade Pride Parade 2012 will be held from 30th September to October 7nd 2012 in Belgrade, while the Pride March will be held on 6th October 2012 in the centre of the city. 
 
Belgrade Pride Parade 2012 will be held from 30th September to October 7nd 2012 in Belgrade, while the Pride March will be held on 6th October 2012 in the centre of the city. ’Belgrade Pride Parade’ has the main aim to coordinate all future pride parades in Belgrade and related event such is Pride Week and Pride Forum. The organizers are inviting you to join us during the Pride March in Belgrade as a concrete support to LGBT community in Serbia. Your presence will also contribute to improving of security by Serbian police.
 
Only 10 years ago, in June 2001 a handful of organizations took upon themselves an enormous challenge to organize first ever Pride in Belgrade. Pride parade was allowed by the State but the entire process was marked by State’s unwillingness to meet any of the needs and requests of the organizers. Due to inadequate security provided by the State, counter demonstrators, mainly from right-wing organizations insulted, molested and even physically attacked participants of Pride parade. The outcome was devastating, destroyed public property and more important, dozens of injured participants of Pride parade while none of the perpetrators was indicted for these acts.
 
Next attempt was in year 2009 which was marked, yet again, by State’s disinterest for success of Parade. Coordination between organizers and state officials was encouraging, but after months of consultations and negotiations, only a day before scheduled date for Pride, organizers were given an ultimatum, either to move Parade from the centre to a remote park or to cancel event. As the organizers did not want to change the venue, Pride parade was banned by the State. In relation to this event, complaint before European Court for Human Rights is pending, while Constitutional Court of Serbia declared decision of the government unconstitutional.
 
Despite many challenges, LGBT organizations and human rights activists continued endeavours to organize Pride parade. With help from organizations/institutions and individuals like you, our efforts paid off less than a year ago when first Pride parade was successfully organized and took place on 10th October 2010. Although riots were again organized by right-wing organizations, the police protected participants of Pride parade, while some state officials came to Pride and expressed their support. However, only 250 hooligans (out of 6,000 estimated) were arrested, while very few are convicted so far and they already are giving statements that any future Gay Pride will be stopped.
 
In 2011, after months of preparations and hundreds of meetings that we had with police, city authorities and other stakeholders, Pride was banned 48 hours before its start. As a reason, government mentioned “treat to a national security”, despite the fact that none of extremists was arrested for the preparation of any criminal act.
 
So far, the community never achieves any substantional result in relation to human rights of the LGBT community without public support from different organizations/institutions and individuals who share our values of equality, dignity and tolerance. Therefore, supporters are urged to help the LGBTs in Serbia once again by personal or participation in Belgrade Pride Parade 2012, sending letter of support orsending letters to duty holders and institutions in Serbia such as President, Prime Minister, Minister of interior affaires.
 
Contact:
Belgrade Pride Parade

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