Association: LGBT Persons Have No Trust in Institutions

LGBT flags

In 2021, association called “Da Se Zna!” (Let It Be Known)  received reports on 83 incidents of unlawful acts motivated by homo and/or transphobia, with slightly more than 15 percent of the total registered incidents being reported to relevant institutions, Association Program Director Nikola Planojevic told BETA on Jan. 25.

According to Planojevic, those incidents did not involve only violence, but also other unlawful acts incited by hate, such as acts against property, and those involving harassment, threats, and discrimination.  

Planojevic said that lack of understanding was mainly due to absence of information and unreadiness of certain parts of the society to accept and respect someone who was different from them, be it a person of different nationality, confession or sexual orientation. “State institutions, media outlets, public figures, and citizens need to clearly and unambiguously extend support to struggle for honoring human rights of LGBT+ people,” Planojevic stressed.

According to Planojevic, the LGBT+ community in Serbia was entering 2022 with a pending bill on Same-sex union, while Belgrade was entering this year as the host of EuroPride 20222. “Considering the atmosphere at the local pride parade held last year, the question is how Belgrade and Serbia will welcome the European LGBT+ community and whether Belgrade will be able to ensure not only physical safety, but also an atmosphere free of inconveniences, judgment and discrimination,” Planojevic stressed.