This year’s Pride Week, under the slogan “Pride is People,” began in Belgrade on 2nd September with a conference at the Pride Info Centre. In addition to the organisers, the event was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret.
The Pride Parade, which will traditionally include representatives of the EU Delegation and embassies of EU member states, will be held on Saturday, 7th September.
Human rights, along with democracy and peace, are fundamental values of the EU. Ambassador Giaufret highlighted that the EU supports equality and uncompromisingly fights against discrimination and human rights violations.
“Pride Week is a week of dialogue. This event is dedicated to the rights of everyone—not to be discriminated against, to live with dignity according to their own choices, and to love whomever they wish to love,” said Giaufret.
Filip Vulović, a member of the Belgrade Pride organising committee, said that 39 events will be held during Pride Week, aimed at informing citizens about the challenges faced by members of the LGBT community.
“Everyone can view the programme on our website and social networks, and come to get information, participate in debates, or attend a performance or an art exhibition by our local LGBT artists, as well as friends from neighbouring countries and various parts of the world,” said Vulović.
Matija Stefanović from the organisation “Da se zna” said that the demands of Belgrade Pride have remained the same for years, as none of them have been fulfilled yet.
“At the forefront is the adoption of the Law on Same-Sex Unions and the Law on Gender Identity and the Rights of Intersex Persons. These are the two most important demands of Belgrade Pride,” emphasised Stefanović.
He added that the Law on Same-Sex Unions, which was drafted in 2021, would be the easiest to adopt, but, as he said, it faces the most opposition.
During Pride Week, a large number of cultural, artistic, and educational events will be held with the aim of raising awareness about the rights of LGBT+ people, including concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and debates.
