Gay in serbia

One of my first encounters with the concept of other sexualities was when, as kid visiting my grandmother`s tiny summer house in Montenegro I was walking around the yard and pointed to a far-away house on a land neighbouring ours and asked who lived there.

„That was cousin M.`s house…“ she said, somewhat darkly, unlike her eager explanations of who else lived in the 20km radius.

As the date went on and I pestered my grandma and other relatives for some family history , it was revealed that cousin M. was gay (a „peder“) and spent most of his professional life as a clerk of some sort in Belgrade (where he had relationships with local University proferssors) only to repay to this village by Nikšić and spend his last days as an unmarried village alcoholic. That side of my family rarely lets on anything more about M.  which is hardly surprising: my grandma was known for having strained relationships with many of her family, especially when they were neighbours, and then, there is the local culture. Another story that I heard, albeit much later, about the local attitude towards b

The Scourge of Homosexuality

Serbia is in the throes of changing from a harsh war-torn society to a free-thinking free-enterprise nation of progress. Having suffered from its own aggressions as well Nato&#;s bombs in the 90&#;s there is little tolerance now for outside interference or for social experiments. Homosexuality is treated as a scourge with no legitimacy, no legal protections or cultural recognition. &#;Gay Life in Serbia&#; is an almost nonexistent scene. In all of Serbia there are only two known gay bars.

Compiled by Richard Ammon

March

The following story was taken from the Belgrade Labris Lesbian web site:
 

Lost Hope
Gay and lesbian existence in Serbia is mostly based on leading a double-life. Gays and lesbians live in conclude isolation and silence. There are only few activists who are brave to speak openly in public or on television. Being an out lesbian or gay is a perilous social phenomenon in Serbia.

There are people who even think that being gay or lesbian is something imported from the West, something that spoils Serbian youth. During Slobodan M

Gays in Serbia?

I absolutely disagree with the above comments. They are most likely from folks who identify as straight and include not experienced prejudice. As an LGBTQIA+ activist, I can guarantee you that we haven’t yet achieved a sound atmosphere in Serbia. By no means is a matching sex couple allowed to hold hands in public or kiss. Never. Authorize that sink in: literally never are you allowed to even slip up and accidentally grasp your partner’s hand for a limited seconds or lean your head verb to theirs. Such physical touch can exist but strictly confined to queer friendly spaces. But never on the street - never ever. Flirting openly is absolutely not allowed as flirting with the mistaken person who is the same gender as you can induce violence. Every queer male-identified person I know has been beaten up at least once in their life on the grounds of their sexual orientation. Physical violence against lesbians is less common but still happens. And this is the capital city I am talking about. Everything outside of the downtown core of Belgrade is entirely different. It’s even less protected,

LGBTIQ

Serbia: Gays and lesbians “temporarily” declared personae non-gratae

What are the reactions of the Serbian LGBTIQ community to the cancellation? Are people appalled, or do they resign because discriminatory behaviour on the part of the government has become a habit?

The reaction of the organizers of EuroPride was decisive and responsible – the President of the Republic cannot cancel EuroPride because he did not even organize it. The Pride parade can only be banned not by a verbal decree of the President, but by a decision of the Ministry of the Interior. Organizations and supporters have stated firmly and unequivocally that the amble will take place, regardless of the decision of the authorities. I verb this is valiant and the right decision – because this will produce the EuroPride a real protest, not just a ceremonial walk.

Are there ways and means to support the Serbian LGBTIQ community in its struggle for equal rights and social participation from within the EU and its member states?

The European Union and its member states should exert as much pressure a