There is little talk about this year's Pride in Serbia, some would even say that, unlike previous years, there are no tensions this year, neither regarding Pride Week, which lasted from Monday, nor regarding today's walk, the Pride Parade. The Mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Šapić, said NO to this event, but that is why he continued to disrespect the human rights of the gay population, Commissioner for Equality Brankica Janković expressed her belief that this year's Pride held in Belgrade will be peaceful and safe for all participants.
On Saturday, the police began to be deployed in the center from early morning. Passers-by complained, such a large number of police on the streets created tension. Why full combat gear if everything is safe?
Already after 14 p.m. (the gathering of the Pride Parade participants was from 16 p.m.), the police, equipped to break up demonstrations, set up metal fences in the streets of Nemanjina and Kralja Milana, in the side streets from Birčaninova to Nemanjina and the part of Knez Miloša Street from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the parliament building . The police allow pedestrians to enter the secured zone only with proof that they live there.
The loudest and most conscientious in the selective respect of human rights is Aleksandar Vučić, the president of Serbia, who, as before, was annoyed by the holding of Price.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated on September 8 at a press conference that "he will not hang the LGBT flag on the Presidency building". This is how he responded to the request of the organizers of Belgrade Pride.
"Here, I'm not going to hang her, so what now? And have I ever done anything against their rights? I didn't," stated Vucic. He stated that "he was elected as the president of the republic to represent the interests of the citizens."
"I won't" is more than enough to see what is muddying the political waters in Serbia, which must move towards the EU, not backwards.
In truth, most gay people in Serbia are used to such an attitude, to beatings, but also to humiliation, expulsion from the house without legal framework and similar belittling and mistreatment.
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In contrast, the six colors representing the pride flag of the LGBT community illuminated the residence of the European Union Ambassador to Serbia, Emanuel Giofre, ahead of today's Pride Parade in Belgrade.
However, a big question arises for the opposition, which has not said a word on the topic of Pride, or support for Pride, so it seems that "Serbia against violence" is not against all violence.
Maybe the Pride organizers and gay people watched, were at or supported the 19th "Serbia of Violence" protest last night and even hoped to see at least one gay flag at the protest, at least one banner, not to mention that one of the opposition leaders climbed onto the truck and said that they are against all violence, and that would mean support for Pride, which we know is not a festival event in Serbia, but also a protest walk.
How is it possible that only Pavle Grbović, MP in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and president of the Movement of Free Citizens, who spoke out from the opposition, said that he absolutely supports Pride and will go for a walk. Read what else he said about it for the "Vremena" portal.
On Saturday, the Democratic Party (DS) also announced that it will walk on Pride.
DS spokeswoman Alisa Kockar said in a statement that this year's Pride is being held in the shadow of homophobic and transphobic statements by the president of the country, Aleksandar Vučić, as well as threats of violence and attacks that have become almost everyday for members of the LGBTQ+ population, which come from "extremely right-oriented organizations and individuals".
Pavle Grbović may have won one potential voter and lost one, but in the end it will not matter who from the opposition did not take advantage of the current situation in the "land of violence" and loudly and clearly stand by Pride and the demands of LGBT people.
Why did the human rights of LGBT people play on the last hole after all these years, and Serbia's route to the EU? It seems that fear and cowardice prevailed among the opposition. How can we trust them that they really want Serbia against violence?
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