SERBIA: Serbian gay activists protest against growing homophobia

Record ID: 277579

  • Title: SERBIA: Serbian gay activists protest against growing homophobia
  • Date: 20th October 2011
  • Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (OCTOBER 19, 2011) (REUTERS) TWO MEN HOLDING RAINBOW FLAGS WITH SIGN IN SERBIAN READING "PEACE" PROTESTERS WAVING RAINBOW FLAGS DEMONSTRATORS IN FRONT OF SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS MAN HOLDING SIGN READING IN SERBIAN "HOMOPHOBIA IS CURABLE" WOMAN LEAVING HAND PRINTS ON BANNER READING IN SERBIAN "THESE HANDS ARE NOT VIOLENT" MAN LEAVING HAND PRI
  • Embargoed: 4th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Serbia, Serbia
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Politics,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVABSRV9JQN8I1ROJVEX5VXP7T1B
  • Story Text: Several hundred gay activists gathered in front of the Serbian government headquarters on Wednesday (October 19) to protest against growing homophobia.
    The protest under the slogan "Enough" was organised by the Gay-Straight Alliance. Large number of the riot police had been deployed to the area where the protest was taking place.
    "People are very angry, LGBT members do not want to tolerate any more violence, which happens on daily basis, the last attack is only the symbol of what have been happening all the time, and people are afraid to report such cases," said Lazar Pavlovic from the "Gay-Straight Alliance".
    The decision to hold the protest was made after a girl wearing "Pride parade" T-shirt had been attacked by a group of teenagers last weekend. The attackers were later released from custody.
    "It seems to me that even when police did something, judiciary later does nothing. Why? We can only guess. Essential problem is with the prosecutor's office which should collect evidence, so all those who committed violent acts will be hold responsible," said Goran Miletic, a human rights activist.
    "I am worried for my safety and for the safety of my family," said Predrag Azdejkovic, member of "Gay-Straight Alliance".
    The protest took place just two weeks after Serbian authorities banned a gay rights parade in Belgrade fearing a Traditionally conservative societies across the Balkans have been slow to accept open homosexuality and many gay rights events in the region have ended in violence.
    More than 100 policemen were injured last year and dozens of right-wing activists were arrested after trying to disrupt the parade.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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