Pride Week Opens in Belgrade

Belgrade Pride 2023(BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

The Pride Week, an even which is part of the Belgrade Pride, was opened on Sept. 1 in Belgrade’s central Manjez Park. Organizers announced that the route of a Sept. 6 march in downtown Belgrade would be changed for “security” reasons.

They explained that this year’s Pride carried a spirit of protest, and that the marchers would stop for 16 minutes in front of the Faculty of Law to pay tribute.

Instead of music, noise will be made during the march. Afterward, in Manjez Park, instead of a concert, a short choir performance, speeches by activists and allies will take place, ending with a DJ program.

Sofija Todorovic from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights told reporters in Manjez Park that organizers, in agreement with the police, decided to change the march route because of “the illegal camps installed” outside top state institutions. She noted that organizers would adapt to changing circumstances and inform citizens of any adjustments.

One of the main themes of this year’s Pride Week, alongside current social and political developments in Serbia, is family, Todorovic said. She stressed that families from the LGBT community exist in Serbia - perhaps silent out of fear - but they exist.

According to her, the society they are fighting for is one where everyone has equal rights, where diversity is not a reason for fear, and where LGBT people are part of this society, affected by injustices like anyone else.