Book about the history of homosexuality in Serbia entitled “Between Us: Untold Stories about the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Life”, one of the first books on collective history of the Serbian LGBT community, published within the EU-funded “Intruders” project has been introduced to the public.
Project was aimed at contributing to the formation of collective memory among the LGBT community and raising public awareness in Serbia, thus supporting the fight for LGBT rights and freedoms, said Luca Bianconi, Head of the political sector of the EU Delegation to Serbia, at the publication promotion event.
“Sexual orientation and gender identity are still being used as an excuse for basic human rights and freedoms breach, not only in Serbia, but in EU Member States and globally as well,” Bianconi said.
According to him “a study conducted in 2012 by and among the members of European Union Fundamental rights agency showed that LGBT persons face discrimination on a daily basis in all aspects of life, including education, employment, health, and often experiene threats and physical assaults.”
“In Serbia too, LGBT persons are among the most vulnerable groups, social attitudes toward them are negative and they are exposed to discrimination, intolerance and violence every day,” Bianconi said, adding that it was expected that this year’s Pride Parade would take place in Belgrade, thereby sending a clear message to the public that “all citizens enjoy the same rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and the freedom of expression.”
Researches within the “Intruders” project have been conducted interdisciplinary and scientifically, whereas the project is implemented by Hartefakt Fund in cooperation with Centre for visual history and “Parobrod” cultural centre, with the financial support of the EU Delegation to Serbia through the European instrument for democracy and human rights, Heinrich Bel Foundation, UK Embassy in Belgrade and the Coalition for equality Step.
