Serbian authorities ban Pride Parade

Fundamental freedoms only exist if they can survive under challenge. The oxygen of publicity will continue to strengthen resolve.

You do not have to support the parade in order to appreciate the right of people to protest. My advice to anyone would be to just accept the parade and do not demonstrate against it.

This would then cease to be an issue.

sooner or later one of the idiots on this site as usual will say if you do not want to see the parade then stay away. Well who on earth are you to tell me where I should or should not go? what if the gays want to organize parades everyday, are we suppose to continue to stay away ?

"This would then cease to be an issue."

..Only to be followed by another western degenerated provocation with another batch of ego-maniacs, let one in and the rest will follow. There has to be a red line, this is it.

Ah yes, Dacic is cracking under the pressure. He is finally realising that he cannot force the police to undertake an operation which they do not want to do. So basically what this means is, that the shameful parade will be cancelled either way, just the organizers are being the opportunity to cancel it themselves.

If the cancellation goes through as is planned, then this isnt only a victory for the police, but also for the people of Serbia, they have made themselves heard.

This is shameful. Banning this parade means a victory for hooligans, skin heads, and any radical organizations. These people present a far greater treat to the security of Serbia than do homosexuals.

Serbian democracy!

This only means that Serbia cannot support or guard it's minority groups from serbian radical groups. The ban of the parade maybee would happend in Africa or Asia but not in Europe. Serbia is far from ready for EU!!

It's weakly from the serbian state to ban the parade. They are baning democracy by not allowing people to express them self.

Clean victory for fascists and religious fanatics. Well done, Serbia!

Very good!
This will be the very last parade that will be announced!
The Western ambassadors who support these gays should pack their stuff and leave with them!
Good riddance!

Serbia will stick to its traditional values: family,god and nation,the more they attack us the more fanatically we will stick to them!

My previous comment was posted before I saw this update. Finally the people have been listened to, victory.

90% of the Serbs commenting here live in "so-called" Serbo-phobe places like Toronto, where gay parade is a funny event, to say the least. I wonder how many Serb diaspora have felt offended by those parades in the countries where they live and how many of them have given up being "straight"

Actually not sure this is a done deal quite yet. The Serbian government wanted to keep this decision under wraps and then 'democratically' reveal it to us at the last minute.

This way any counter pressure to let the march continue would be doomed to fail.

Anyway if this is true what message has been sent? The message is that those who threaten violence or choose to take the law into their own hands will be rewarded?

The threat of violence gives results and peaceful protest is sanctioned.

Has any poster wondered how many times has an article on Gay Parade has appeared on B92 in September alone?Fifteen times on my count.It just shows how desperate are the EU bureaucrats to foist gay rights upon a nation that is culturally against such "rights".

So the Government has capitulated to the "thugs", both political and religious, and all public events over the weekend in Belgrade are banned. To me, that should include all Church services which are public events. Oh, yes, and all football matches should as well be victim of the ban.

Wow No Gay parade how come Serbia??? I think all GAY community should start building barricades all over Balgrade and tell them its peacfull demonstration and this will be a check mat position how can they not allow a parade and at same time say its ok in North Kosovo???

Now my Serbian friends can you see the oxymoron in it as in one hand this smae politicians support Serbs to block roads in Kosovo but Serbs in Serbia can not even walk the street.

«another western degenerated provocation »!

Sad to read such comments when we all know that homosexuality is just as old the creation. Please, let others live just as you live, and remember that the sun shines on good and bad people. In which category do you think you are?

Proud of you Serbs that's the way to do it. If only Croatia had balls to do it also then again we have Ms. Kosor.

Be proud but don't rub it on other people nose. Because of bad economy government is afraid any protest will turn against it so they ban all.

“The Parade should be held but it would be canceled in all countries if there is concern that there could be bigger problems than holding of the Parade and that bigger incidents could happen,” Dačić stressed earlier today.

True, but in other countries ordinary people don't have a problem with such a parade, or they protest in a civilized manner.

In other words, the government of Serbia lowered their pants in front of the rightists.

A small group of people cannot hold a little parade in the center of what is supposedly a "metropol" without causing a national crisis?

Serbia is the only country ever capable of doing what the vast majority of people in Europe would see in their own countries.
To resist the eurocrats' arrogance and say NO.
It would be great if Serbia might be able to continue on this path. It's maybe utopia but my hope is that other countries might follow and crush this absurd euro-absolutism someone'd like to establish.

"sooner or later one of the idiots on this site as usual will say if you do not want to see the parade then stay away. Well who on earth are you to tell me where I should or should not go? what if the gays want to organize parades everyday, are we suppose to continue to stay away ?"
(???, 30 September 2011 16:12)
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And who the hell are you to tell gay, lesbian and bisexual Serbian people that they cannot hold a protest march which they have the right to do under the constitution? Why would they hold one everyday? Stop talking rubbish. It's 3 hours in 1 day in 1 year where they want to walk round the block. It's not asking much.

The Serbian government may have had no choice but to make this decision. The problem lies with the homophobia that seems to be rife in Serbia. A country with this level of intolerance is not mature enough for the EU.

Finally someone in the government has grown a set. To expect the security forces to have to deal with the overwhelming resentment of a population for a miniscule minority is not feasible.

Maybe in 30 years once the EU pukes have stopped trying to meddle and create their own little experiment in the balkans, Serbia will might ready for these ridiculous parades. However, I really don't see the point in these Parades so hope they never happen.

I am not homophobic by any means and have been friends with gay people but I really can't fathom out this need for a parade. Especially when it's EU funded. I live in the Middle East and even though the 'West' are always blowing bubbles about democracy they are very quiet when a 'friend' represses it's majority population. So a Gay Parade out here would never happen. But you can buy millions of $ worth of arms to aid your repression of your people.

To allude to Milan's comment: I am happy the gay parade was cancelled, and I don't care for what reason it was cancelled. The negative to this is that now the people who are against the government cannot protest this weekend as well, and also we cannot see what would happen if: 1. The parade went forth, 2. The police would refuse to work it, and then 3. The government power apparatus would be challenged as a result of one of their "forces" being taken away from them. Oh well, that will have to wait for another day.

Wow! I am a Serb and my Serbian heart is as big as anyone's and I'm not ashamed of that, but I am ashamed of Serbia and its government for not being able to manage a parade. Absolutely ridiculous. I've lost my faith in Serbia ever joining the civilized world. Alot of individuals are actually delusional and consider themselves to be much greater than the average person for no apparent reason at all. Shameful display of governance Grow up Serbia and all Serbs who have no clue about science and what the modern world has come to accept as just simply an individual's sexual orientation. Why feel so threatened? Could it be because of the fact that most extended families, based on statistics, would have at least one or two gay people in them. Staying single for life in a traditional society. Hmmmmm? Very interesting indeed!

So the short headlines that make it to foreign pages of world newspapers will only speak of Serbia banning pride parade.

There will be no mention of security concerns. It will be assumed by many that Serbia is a primitive society where homosexuals are regularly discriminated against.

Its not just those that support / don't mind this march - supporters of free assembly and the right to protest something may be next. The government has used an excuse of possible violence and cost as the reason to ban the protest.

To the right that think they have a victory, let me remind them of something they haven't thought of, but yet they will know I'm speaking the truth?

Do you think that if a protest concerning Kosovo was called that the government would now be able to ban it?

But don't allow me to stop you from celebrating guys. You have successfully handed over more power to the government, whilst taking it away from the people.

sooner or later one of the idiots on this site as usual will say if you do not want to see the parade then stay away. Well who on earth are you to tell me where I should or should not go? what if the gays want to organize parades everyday, are we suppose to continue to stay away ?
(???, 30 September 2011 16:12)

Don't you see that your arguments are similar to the Muslims forcing women to wear a burqa or to stay at home because it's so unacceptable for anyone to see a female person in public without it?

Brilliant news. No more talk about them for another year.

This is all about Kosova! They do not want the parade to be held because when the violence erupts, it will, it will stain Serbia in the eyes of the international community more than it already is. Everyone will point their fingers at Serbia. What kind of democracy is that? Gay people can't have a silly parade for one day without a tiny piece of society ready to murder them for their sexual beliefs? Serbia can fight becoming an open and democratic society as much as they want, but over time freedom of the people will win while extremist/nationalist losers will lose.

You want to join the civilized western world and Europe Serbia? Well you better start taking action as such. Not banning gay parades because 100 hooligans are threatening war within the city. Thats weak weak weak. then again, has anything really changed in Serbian society since the downfall of Milosevic? I don't think so.

Violence (in the form of a failed government giving into violent thugs) has prevailed in Serbia. Serbia is unable (or unwilling)to protect peaceful protesters on the streets of its' national capital.

The actions of the last month have made it obvious that Serbia's Gay community has grounds for public protests.

I would expect that a civilized nation would be arresting the leaders of those threatening violence and sentencing them to jail for extremism. But Serbia will do nothing of the sort.

There obviously needs to be a new Interior Minister in Serbia. He admits that he cannot keep the peace on their national capital. Its his failure. And lots of openly Gay male officers should be hired on the Belgrade Police Forces as I believe that the police forces are unprofessional as they support the banning of Gay rights. Who in the Belgrade Police Force supports Gay Rights? Out of 5000 officers, is there ONE male beat officer willing to say they personally support Gay rights? I'll bet that B-92 cannot find ONE willing to do so publically. And especially no males working the beat. Belgrade 2011 = Alabama in 1961 (where the police refused to protect peaceful protesters from a minority group against a mob).

Serbia's Gay community should go ahead with its march. And if there is any violence, hold a Gay Pride Parade every Sunday afternoon from here on out until there is no violence and there is police protection.

Until Serbia's LGBT community is given the right to protest peacefully on the streets of their national capital, groups opposed to Gay rights should be banned from congregating publically on the streets of Serbia. That would especially include the Serbian Orthodox Church, any political movement opposed to Gay rights, and supporters of football teams who tolerate their skinhead supporters.

No EU for Serbia. As Serbia cannot protect 500 people peacefully marching in their national capital, they should not be able to host any international events, including UEFA or international football matches.

so now i'll pass on a bit more -- we have been in contact w/ one of the organizers (short and sweet) -- and it was really rough to make the connection (3 seconds).
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

Ever installed SkyPe?

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some 1000 participants, a very short walk (as others have mentioned) -- anything but the carnival atmosphere of a toronto, rio, new york, frisco, or at least 100 other locales! normal
.
.
.
.
where ppl can have fun, play music, shake it up a litle, enjoy... for belgrade, no way! more like a damn military walk, if that ain't sad.
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

That's the way it has to be. You want things like in Toronto? Sorry, most gays don't want that. That has nothing to do with gay rights, it was for business.

But you are welcome to explain in well-constructed English why the parade in Toronto is a good thing - but people can't bathe in California naked or topless on public beaches, pretty much a natural thing in Montenegro.

My next question will be about the scandal with Swiss children in Colorado and Serbian children in California.

So much about "sexually liberal" America.

Scientists have so far confirmed homosexuality in 425 species.

Homophobia in only one.

thanks. roberto frisco -- oh, sorry, i mean "roberta" oooh, that one really cut so deeply... how bout: go to yr albanian brothers?!)
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

"Roberta" is indeed wrong. After all, it's not our business to determine the gender or Dragan(a) and the problems have nothing to do with "LGBT" per se.

Better: "Robot Berta": robots are gender neutral and work only as far as they were pre-programmed.
Or: "Robot Lobotomy" (even more gender neutral and 'lobotomy' describes the things even more precisely).

Example. You want to tell us, Serbian authorities monitor your conversation with LGBT community and after a 3-second call switched you off. At the same time you can enter Serbia at will, no one is harassing you despite the fact you provided the whole word not only with your full family name but also with your home address and even your land-line phone number.

And what happened? Not even your lousily written home page with "Jasenovic" is hacked, no one calls you in the middle of the night and Serbian/Russian guys in black did not take you to Siberia yet. The only logical explanation: people do not care less about your person, your views and what you do.

The 3-second phone call is ridiculous, watch out - tomorrow you will get a visit from Šešelj, Captain Dragan(a) and maybe even Putin with Dalai Lama in tow, you are that important.

See the link here - http://portraitsofhumanity.org - what a disgrace, the word "Jasenovic" is still not corrected in all places you made the mistake. That's why "Robot Lobotomy": refuses to acknowledge being a first-class ignorant.

It's weakly from the serbian state to ban the parade. They are baning democracy by not allowing people to express them self.
(Demi, 30 September 2011 17:02)

LOL Have a pride parade in Pristina. Or Tirana. See what happens. Make sure you call EULEX and NATO to put out the fires afterward :)

This is shameful. Banning this parade means a victory for hooligans, skin heads, and any radical organizations. These people present a far greater treat to the security of Serbia than do homosexuals.
(Petar, 30 September 2011 22:37)

Much grater percentage of people in Serbia don’t approve of homosexuality. Just because someone doesn’t agree or accepts homosexuality does not make them radical or hooligan. I say, by homosexuals forcing their way of life on the people that are not homosexuals be it thru parading down town Belgrade or any other way makes them radicals. I say they present much greater treat and danger to my way of life, what I believe in and the way I was brought up. And you don’t see straight people parading every few months any ware in the world to show to everyone that they are straight.

"Milan.

That's basically been the Serbian position all along. "It's nobody's business but ours that we're oppressing albanians. Don't mention 'srebrenica', please it might hurt my feelings because I don't think you know enough history.
(Danilo, 1 October 2011 14:46)"

Please stick to the subject of the main article. Whatever you wrote can be written about and applied to most ethnic groups from the former Yugoslavia so stop portraying Serbs as just devils and the others as just angles and innocent victims. Some outsiders might buy your BS, but not me and others who know better. Finally, I am not as sensitive as you appear to be so no feeling were and will be hurt except yours.

That's pure nonsense. I live in the US, and it's only in recent years that such a parade happens without major problems, or that gay relationships are viewed as tolerable. Try running a full-scale gay rights parade in Montgomery, AL; Jackson, MS; Oklahoma City, OK; Columbia, SC; Boise, ID; Phoenix, AZ, or Omaha, NE. You will have big time problems, demonstrations or worse. By your logic, the U.S. isn't fully ready for the EU. Serbia just got bombed by the West 12 years ago, and it's fighting for its rightful territorial integrity. They are rather busy with other matters right now.
(Michael, 1 October 2011 02:12)

All of those cities have Gay Pride Parades. In public. And have so for years. No violence happens at these events.

security comes first. why they're marching anyways?

It is interesting that because of this news article, that in the eyes of many outsiders puts Serbia in a bad light, suddenly many new commentators come to this site to spew their anti-Serbia rhetoric. To me it seems like a coordinated effort to discredit Serbia and its people once again. There are many countries in the world where being homosexual is a crime and where people get killed, imprisoned, or are openly discriminated. None of this happens to homosexuals in Serbia. Like all countries there are homosexuals in Serbia and people know that. Just because Serbia, like many other Balkan countries, is a more traditional society with a strong religious influence, that many people do not mind, does not mean that people do not accept homosexuality as long as it is out of site, just like it was in the west not that long ago. In many western countries homosexuals endure harassment and violence by both natives and Muslim immigrants. Just give Serbia and the Serbian society time to change and openly accommodate the needs of people of all sexual preferences and flavors. Outside interference to force something upon people who need to follow their own pace always backfires. Peace and love to all.

Ataman,

"Robert(o/a)" should put some effort to have a daily Gay Parade in Disneyland just before the daily Mainstreet Parade. The conservatives in Orange County should be happy about that and if they are not they should be labeled homophobes and worse.

Here's what should happen next.

1) The Parada Ponosa group should sue Serbia in Strasbourg for denial of freedom of protest, assembly, petition, association, and speech.

2) They should also sue the Interior Minister, the Police Union, Serbian Doors, Obraz in Serbian Court. They should demand severe monetary damages. Individual participants should sue as well. Once the homophobic Serbian court rules against them (which they will) they should take their case to Strasbourg.

3) Parada Ponosa should announce that they will apply for a protest permit for next Sunday. And that they will continue to apply for a protest permit every weekend until one is granted.

4) Criminal prosecutions that result in jail terms that are actually served in prison should be filed against those threatening violence against Gay Serbians exercising their right to protest publically on the urban streets of central Belgrade. If criminal prosecutions aren't forthcoming, that should result in an additional lawsuit against Serbia in Strasbourg

5) The EU, the USA, and the UK should bar any member of an organization engaged in extremism in Serbia against Gay people from a travel visa. Those visa bans should be extended to the government officials who refuse to protect the rights of Gay Serbians and who refuse to prosecute and jail those calling for violence against Gay Serbians.

6) Obviously, Serbia's entry into the EU has been set back years, if not decades by this. The Interior Minister should be fired over this as he has failed in his job.

7) Serbia should not be allowed to hold international events as they cannot police the streets of their capital city. Apparently, Belgrade is overrun by violent thugs. Remember those thugs murdered a French football fan. International football matches should be the second thing to go as a result of this. FIFA and UEFA will be contacted over this. No home football matches for any Serbian team.

8)The first thing to go should be any public event geared towards those that oppose Gay rights. Obviously, that would include the Serbian Orthodox Church. Since Gay Serbians cannot assemble or participate in any public event on the streets of Belgrade, then the Serbian Orthodox Church, Dveri, etc. should be banned until the Gays can have equal rights to the same streets. Any exceptions made for anti-Gays should result in more lawsuits against Serbia.

9) The Serbian Government should be asked why Mladsen Obradovic is still not in prison for his riot inducing behavior last year even though he has been criminally convicted. And how he can be provided with a protest permit to protest Gay rights on the same weekend as a Gay pride parade. By the way, Balkan Insight reports that Obradovic (a violent extremist - convicted by Serbia) is reporting the support of elements of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

9) Gay males should apply to be officers in the Belgrade police department. When they are discriminated against for being openly (known publically) Gay, they should file additional lawsuits against Serbia.

How can Serbia ask to control Mitrovica when it cannot police Belgrade? Get ready for that argument. Because its a valid question now. Any assurances of equal rights and protection for minorities given by the Serbian government in Vojo or in Mitrovica have been bared to be toothless. And it isn't the fault of Gay Serbians for demanding their rights under the Serbian constitution It is the fault of the skinheads, who seek to profit from the threat of violence and the Serbian authorities who allowed violent thugs to profit from this violence. Do any of you realize how much damage you guys have just done to Serbia in Kosovo with this ban?

Get ready for a long, LOUD, and persistent chorus of condemnation of Serbia. And, the anti-Gays in Serbia earned it. This isn't going to go away in a week.

God bless Serbia.Just say no to EU and NO to gay pandemic.VEry proud of my people right now.Continue this upsurge in dignity and kick all the NGO parasites out of Serbia as well.Then continue on to Kosmet and stop them from killing our brothers and sisters.

Milan.

That's basically been the Serbian position all along. "It's nobody's business but ours that we're oppressing albanians. Don't mention 'srebrenica', please it might hurt my feelings because I don't think you know enough history.

miri, do you know why they never seem to hold such parades in Pristina or Tirana?
(lowe, 1 October 2011 04:42)

LOL no she doesn't because she lives in the United States :)

thanks. roberto frisco -- oh, sorry, i mean "roberta" oooh, that one really cut so deeply... how bout: go to yr albanian brothers?!)
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

LOL it must have cut you since you decided to bring it up after your egotistical bla bla blabbing :) Try pushing this idea to your Albanian brothers (and sisters). See how far you can get. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to drink a beer in the park. Which you can't do in liberal progressive America. :)

If you look past the issue at hand "pro parade vs anti parade," the dilemma is whether a group of people should be allowed to express their views. Plenty of events/issues/public gatherings occur that someone may disagree with. What it comes down to is being able to understand that no matter what your opinion/moral beliefs are, we should all have a right to express ourselves. If someone is so firm on their beliefs than why is a gay parade such a threat? If someone is so confident in their morals than a parade would not be a threat to their way of life.

Good move - the police can use this opportunity to arrest any miscreant who violates the ban. I think the authorities were worried that some "hooligans" would use the parade as an excuse to attack the us embassy again.

No EU for Serbia. As Serbia cannot protect 500 people peacefully marching in their national capital, they should not be able to host any international events, including UEFA or international football matches.
(Tom in Lazybrook, 30 September 2011 19:21)

Tom just stick to posting on gaypatriot.ne* instead of trolling around here.

There are plenty of places where gays can march freely and parade their sexuality so why don't they just go to all the other annual "pride" parades?

I don't see the point of having these parades especially in countries where it is against cultural/religious beliefs.

These parades along with other minority group events just seek to destabilise and recreate regions.

Serbia should keep their cultural and traditional values.

Gays should have rights but not rights to parade their sexuality in the rest of the country's faces.

"90% of the Serbs commenting here live in "so-called" Serbo-phobe places like Toronto, where gay parade is a funny event, to say the least. I wonder how many Serb diaspora have felt offended by those parades in the countries where they live and how many of them have given up being "straight"
(miri, 30 September 2011 21:42)"


miri, do you know why they never seem to hold such parades in Pristina or Tirana?

There were around 4000 hooligans last year but police did good job and protected gay parade, but this years it looks like they are planning massive attacks on whole city, its because of politics and because they want goverment to go down. Situation in Kosovo made things worse, this is not about Belgrade or gay parade its more serious.

Tom in Lazybrook, I cannot understand so much blind hate towards Serbia and an uncontrolled bias and prejudice just because some controversial event was cancelled. It is Serbia's own business and if the decision will start a new clock then so be it. I am sure there are many more people suffering worldwide because of many other more important issues and it might be useful to convert your hate-energy into a more productive form and start solving those problems.

It's next to impossible to promote civil rights in the middle of a recession. It's no coincidence the US civil rights movement was during the prosperity of post-WW2 America. Serbia will only advance civil rights for all its citizens, including gays, once the economy improves and people have decent wages. Unfortunately, considering the fact Tadic and his party are avowed neoliberals, Serbia' gay community will not improve its position any time soon.

"Serbia will stick to its traditional values: family,god and nation,the more they attack us the more fanatically we will stick to them!"
(CG, 30 September 2011 18:54)

Seems like these 'values' should better be called intolerance, hate, religious extremism, violence. I wouldn't be proud of sticking to them.

The Serbian government may have had no choice but to make this decision. The problem lies with the homophobia that seems to be rife in Serbia. A country with this level of intolerance is not mature enough for the EU.
(Briarwood, 30 September 2011 18:10)

That's pure nonsense. I live in the US, and it's only in recent years that such a parade happens without major problems, or that gay relationships are viewed as tolerable. Try running a full-scale gay rights parade in Montgomery, AL; Jackson, MS; Oklahoma City, OK; Columbia, SC; Boise, ID; Phoenix, AZ, or Omaha, NE. You will have big time problems, demonstrations or worse. By your logic, the U.S. isn't fully ready for the EU. Serbia just got bombed by the West 12 years ago, and it's fighting for its rightful territorial integrity. They are rather busy with other matters right now.

This is shameful. Banning this parade means a victory for hooligans, skin heads, and any radical organizations. These people present a far greater treat to the security of Serbia than do homosexuals.
(Petar, 30 September 2011 22:37) Nonsensical nonsense you put out it means a victory for the ordinary citizens that will not have to watch a lewd and rude spectacle. Being unrelentingly pushed out displayed on the streets by the morally bankrupt elite to attack the moral common senses of the majority of the citizenry. The gays can parade in their own bedrooms no one is interested seeing it on the streets

A victory for every normal, traditional, decent person in Europe. Good job Serbia. We, in Romania, only dream of having such dignified people...

Let's hope your example will be followed.

"The Serbian government may have had no choice but to make this decision. The problem lies with the homophobia that seems to be rife in Serbia. A country with this level of intolerance is not mature enough for the EU"

In translation. If you want a normal life, where your children can learn the traditional values of your community, YOU don't belong in the EU. If you oppose something imposed from Bruxxxelles, you're a radical and YOU don't belong in the EU. If you live by your christian values, then, YOU don't belong in the EU. If you don't want to see men dressed as women, YOU are not mature enough for the EU.

Well, serbs, i'm glad that you're not mature, then. Greetings from a "mature" Romania. We were not that lucky.

All of those cities have Gay Pride Parades. In public. And have so for years. No violence happens at these events.
(Tom in Lazybrook, 1 October 2011 17:00)

No, they just have a national political party calling for a Constitutional ammendment defining what marriage is, and throwing up candidates that think homosexuality can be cured :)

"I am not homophobic by any means and have been friends with gay people but I really can't fathom out this need for a parade. Especially when it's EU funded. I live in the Middle East and even though the 'West' are always blowing bubbles about democracy they are very quiet when a 'friend' represses it's majority population. So a Gay Parade out here would never happen.
(Mr. David J. Jones, 30 September 2011 23:21)

I don't see the need for a parade, neither, but I tolerate it. Like I cannot understand the masses of fanatic football fans. But interesting to read that you are comparing Serbia to some Muslim hillbilly country that lives some centuries ago, under the surveillance of 'moral guards'.

Milan,



What I'm saying is it's NOT nobody's business when someone is being opressed.

"First of all it is "oppressed"."

yes. when a minority is unable to have a walk in the park because 1000s of hooligans are going to smash the city as a result, that is a symptom of oppression in an oppressive society.


"Second, I really do not care what you write, say, or think."

Yes. This is quite evident by the way you're responding to all my posts in here.


"Third, who is oppressed and by whom? In many Western countries gays, lesbians, transgenders, transsexuals, and so on have a hard time."

ok. so? Their rights should be fought for there too. I challenge you, though, to give me an example of anywhere other than Islamic theocracies where SO many people have caused so much violence in response to such a small demonstration


"it is completely out of line to brand all of Serbia and its people as backward for cancelling it."

"Serbia bans gay parade" is what all the international headlines read today. That's because of Serbia that it reads that, not because of anyone else.

Just when you think it can't get any worse in serbia... it does. worse, worst, what comes next. horridly pitiful?

the blgd regime is lower than low. lowwwwwww... dacic is a two bit milosevite, but just another part of the problem. they are all the same -- tadic, jeremic, bogdanovic, stefanovic, dacic, who are we forgetting? these are the "pro-western democrats"????? according to whom, some copy editor in london? please!

No, it doesn't tell the full story, but includes tadic's role (the peacemaker (!!!), obraz... all the blood plans, exactly as we predicted, but duh. you have a slew of low-life politicos and their um media to stir up the hornet's nest, day after day after day. riling up the "hooligans" , and then they announce: we have to prevent violence! oh no you don't -- you have to foment it.

and yes, "kosovo" is part of the problem... just call a damn spade a spade.

so a part of me wants to say: all lgbt ppl and anyone there with 1/2 a conscience (1/2 is better than none?) should emigrate tout suite. but first of all, that's naive and impossible; second of all, it would make things all the more intolerable there. third of all, why the hell should they? allow them (govt and right wing orgs, incl the church hierarchy) to intimidate them, force them out or underground. allow the obraz types to claim victory, which of course they have, and they're right. thank you belgrade regime!

so now i'll pass on a bit more -- we have been in contact w/ one of the organizers (short and sweet) -- and it was really rough to make the connection (3 seconds). anyway, they predicted this might happen, so-called last minute cancellation. planned all along i'm sure, dacic as attack dog (my words.) they were predicting some 1000 participants, a very short walk (as others have mentioned) -- anything but the carnival atmosphere of a toronto, rio, new york, frisco, or at least 100 other locales! normal, where ppl can have fun, play music, shake it up a litle, enjoy... for belgrade, no way! more like a damn military walk, if that ain't sad.

they said there was some rapport with police (individuals?), lots of organization, security, plenty of allies from around the region, the world.

i can't imagine that such lgbt organizers, w/ nerves of steel, are going to take this well. but we shall see. i'll share what i learn, if they allow it.

anyway, very sad state of affairs, and the orthodox leaders playing out their usual sleazy role.

thanks. roberto frisco -- oh, sorry, i mean "roberta" oooh, that one really cut so deeply... how bout: go to yr albanian brothers?!)

"Milan,

What I'm saying is it's NOT nobody's business when someone is being opressed.
(Danilo, 1 October 2011 16:13)"

Danilo,

First of all it is "oppressed". Second, I really do not care what you write, say, or think. Third, who is oppressed and by whom? In many Western countries gays, lesbians, transgenders, transsexuals, and so on have a hard time. Many are harassed, attacked, and discriminated by locals and especially young male Muslims. Personally I do not have a problem with a gay parade. I will not watch one because it is probably boring. I do not agree with the people who threatened with violence against the gay parade, but I also think that it is completely out of line to brand all of Serbia and its people as backward for cancelling it. I have no need or interest in a straight parade, even if I were a minority.

All of those cities have Gay Pride Parades. In public. And have so for years. No violence happens at these events.
(Tom in Lazybrook, 1 October 2011 17:00)

No, they just have a national political party calling for a Constitutional ammendment defining what marriage is, and throwing up candidates that think homosexuality can be cured :)
(Balkan Anthropologist, 2 October 2011 00:00)

------------------------------------------------------
You opined that life in Montgomery, or Boise, or Jackson, or Omaha is the same/worse than Belgrade. You don't know squat. I LIVE in Alabama. There are no bands of violent homophobes roaming the streets in Alabama (unlike Serbia), we have public Gay protests (unlike Serbia), we have spaces that are our own (unlike Serbia), we have out gay police officers, and we've even managed to get several openly Gay elected politicians. Unlike Serbia, Alabama's police and prosecuters actually put people in prison for crimes against Gay people (why is Obradovic still not in jail?) Its not perfect, but it is 1,000,000 times better than Belgrade. The Republicans are bad, but Serbia's politicians are much much worse.

Here's Omaha's Gay pride website http://ongp.com/
Here's Mississippi's http://outoberfest.com/ (There are two other Gay pride parades in smaller Mississippi towns
Here's Alabama's http://centralalabamapride.org/ Alabama's second city has a Gay pride as well.
Here's Idahos http://www.boisepride.org/
'
I think we can just establish that you don't know anything about the south or intermountain west as every single city of any consequence in the USA has multiple public gay events. Yes, it is true that there have been referendums that have resulted in Gay couples having the exact same rights as Gay Serbians (none) when it comes to marriage rights, but in the USA, that will be resolved shortly throught the courts. That constitutional amendment will never be passed in the USA. You'll find that in civilized countries, even those opposed to Gay rights support our right to speak publically and protest for that which we support.

Next year, perhaps we'll hold a pride parade in support of freedom of speech, protest, and petiton for Gay Serbs on the same day as the Belgrade Pride in the Serbian neighborhood of Chicago right outside the Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago! We might do the same in Toronto as well and London as well! And in front of the Europarliament. We'll get tons of media. How do you think its going to make Serbia look? Especially if predictably the event is cancelled or attacked by rightwingers/football hooligans/skinheads. We can't make Serbia do anything. But we can turn the volume up. Way up.

Fundamental freedoms only exist if they can survive under challenge. The oxygen of publicity will continue to strengthen resolve.

You do not have to support the parade in order to appreciate the right of people to protest. My advice to anyone would be to just accept the parade and do not demonstrate against it.

This would then cease to be an issue.

"This would then cease to be an issue."

..Only to be followed by another western degenerated provocation with another batch of ego-maniacs, let one in and the rest will follow. There has to be a red line, this is it.

sooner or later one of the idiots on this site as usual will say if you do not want to see the parade then stay away. Well who on earth are you to tell me where I should or should not go? what if the gays want to organize parades everyday, are we suppose to continue to stay away ?

Ah yes, Dacic is cracking under the pressure. He is finally realising that he cannot force the police to undertake an operation which they do not want to do. So basically what this means is, that the shameful parade will be cancelled either way, just the organizers are being the opportunity to cancel it themselves.

If the cancellation goes through as is planned, then this isnt only a victory for the police, but also for the people of Serbia, they have made themselves heard.

My previous comment was posted before I saw this update. Finally the people have been listened to, victory.

Proud of you Serbs that's the way to do it. If only Croatia had balls to do it also then again we have Ms. Kosor.

This is shameful. Banning this parade means a victory for hooligans, skin heads, and any radical organizations. These people present a far greater treat to the security of Serbia than do homosexuals.

Serbia is the only country ever capable of doing what the vast majority of people in Europe would see in their own countries.
To resist the eurocrats' arrogance and say NO.
It would be great if Serbia might be able to continue on this path. It's maybe utopia but my hope is that other countries might follow and crush this absurd euro-absolutism someone'd like to establish.

Finally someone in the government has grown a set. To expect the security forces to have to deal with the overwhelming resentment of a population for a miniscule minority is not feasible.

Maybe in 30 years once the EU pukes have stopped trying to meddle and create their own little experiment in the balkans, Serbia will might ready for these ridiculous parades. However, I really don't see the point in these Parades so hope they never happen.

I am not homophobic by any means and have been friends with gay people but I really can't fathom out this need for a parade. Especially when it's EU funded. I live in the Middle East and even though the 'West' are always blowing bubbles about democracy they are very quiet when a 'friend' represses it's majority population. So a Gay Parade out here would never happen. But you can buy millions of $ worth of arms to aid your repression of your people.

Be proud but don't rub it on other people nose. Because of bad economy government is afraid any protest will turn against it so they ban all.

Very good!
This will be the very last parade that will be announced!
The Western ambassadors who support these gays should pack their stuff and leave with them!
Good riddance!

Serbia will stick to its traditional values: family,god and nation,the more they attack us the more fanatically we will stick to them!

This is all about Kosova! They do not want the parade to be held because when the violence erupts, it will, it will stain Serbia in the eyes of the international community more than it already is. Everyone will point their fingers at Serbia. What kind of democracy is that? Gay people can't have a silly parade for one day without a tiny piece of society ready to murder them for their sexual beliefs? Serbia can fight becoming an open and democratic society as much as they want, but over time freedom of the people will win while extremist/nationalist losers will lose.

You want to join the civilized western world and Europe Serbia? Well you better start taking action as such. Not banning gay parades because 100 hooligans are threatening war within the city. Thats weak weak weak. then again, has anything really changed in Serbian society since the downfall of Milosevic? I don't think so.

Wow No Gay parade how come Serbia??? I think all GAY community should start building barricades all over Balgrade and tell them its peacfull demonstration and this will be a check mat position how can they not allow a parade and at same time say its ok in North Kosovo???

Now my Serbian friends can you see the oxymoron in it as in one hand this smae politicians support Serbs to block roads in Kosovo but Serbs in Serbia can not even walk the street.

90% of the Serbs commenting here live in "so-called" Serbo-phobe places like Toronto, where gay parade is a funny event, to say the least. I wonder how many Serb diaspora have felt offended by those parades in the countries where they live and how many of them have given up being "straight"

Violence (in the form of a failed government giving into violent thugs) has prevailed in Serbia. Serbia is unable (or unwilling)to protect peaceful protesters on the streets of its' national capital.

The actions of the last month have made it obvious that Serbia's Gay community has grounds for public protests.

I would expect that a civilized nation would be arresting the leaders of those threatening violence and sentencing them to jail for extremism. But Serbia will do nothing of the sort.

There obviously needs to be a new Interior Minister in Serbia. He admits that he cannot keep the peace on their national capital. Its his failure. And lots of openly Gay male officers should be hired on the Belgrade Police Forces as I believe that the police forces are unprofessional as they support the banning of Gay rights. Who in the Belgrade Police Force supports Gay Rights? Out of 5000 officers, is there ONE male beat officer willing to say they personally support Gay rights? I'll bet that B-92 cannot find ONE willing to do so publically. And especially no males working the beat. Belgrade 2011 = Alabama in 1961 (where the police refused to protect peaceful protesters from a minority group against a mob).

Serbia's Gay community should go ahead with its march. And if there is any violence, hold a Gay Pride Parade every Sunday afternoon from here on out until there is no violence and there is police protection.

Until Serbia's LGBT community is given the right to protest peacefully on the streets of their national capital, groups opposed to Gay rights should be banned from congregating publically on the streets of Serbia. That would especially include the Serbian Orthodox Church, any political movement opposed to Gay rights, and supporters of football teams who tolerate their skinhead supporters.

No EU for Serbia. As Serbia cannot protect 500 people peacefully marching in their national capital, they should not be able to host any international events, including UEFA or international football matches.

So the Government has capitulated to the "thugs", both political and religious, and all public events over the weekend in Belgrade are banned. To me, that should include all Church services which are public events. Oh, yes, and all football matches should as well be victim of the ban.

Brilliant news. No more talk about them for another year.

Has any poster wondered how many times has an article on Gay Parade has appeared on B92 in September alone?Fifteen times on my count.It just shows how desperate are the EU bureaucrats to foist gay rights upon a nation that is culturally against such "rights".

security comes first. why they're marching anyways?

«another western degenerated provocation »!

Sad to read such comments when we all know that homosexuality is just as old the creation. Please, let others live just as you live, and remember that the sun shines on good and bad people. In which category do you think you are?

The Serbian government may have had no choice but to make this decision. The problem lies with the homophobia that seems to be rife in Serbia. A country with this level of intolerance is not mature enough for the EU.

God bless Serbia.Just say no to EU and NO to gay pandemic.VEry proud of my people right now.Continue this upsurge in dignity and kick all the NGO parasites out of Serbia as well.Then continue on to Kosmet and stop them from killing our brothers and sisters.

Serbian democracy!

This only means that Serbia cannot support or guard it's minority groups from serbian radical groups. The ban of the parade maybee would happend in Africa or Asia but not in Europe. Serbia is far from ready for EU!!

It's weakly from the serbian state to ban the parade. They are baning democracy by not allowing people to express them self.

Here's what should happen next.

1) The Parada Ponosa group should sue Serbia in Strasbourg for denial of freedom of protest, assembly, petition, association, and speech.

2) They should also sue the Interior Minister, the Police Union, Serbian Doors, Obraz in Serbian Court. They should demand severe monetary damages. Individual participants should sue as well. Once the homophobic Serbian court rules against them (which they will) they should take their case to Strasbourg.

3) Parada Ponosa should announce that they will apply for a protest permit for next Sunday. And that they will continue to apply for a protest permit every weekend until one is granted.

4) Criminal prosecutions that result in jail terms that are actually served in prison should be filed against those threatening violence against Gay Serbians exercising their right to protest publically on the urban streets of central Belgrade. If criminal prosecutions aren't forthcoming, that should result in an additional lawsuit against Serbia in Strasbourg

5) The EU, the USA, and the UK should bar any member of an organization engaged in extremism in Serbia against Gay people from a travel visa. Those visa bans should be extended to the government officials who refuse to protect the rights of Gay Serbians and who refuse to prosecute and jail those calling for violence against Gay Serbians.

6) Obviously, Serbia's entry into the EU has been set back years, if not decades by this. The Interior Minister should be fired over this as he has failed in his job.

7) Serbia should not be allowed to hold international events as they cannot police the streets of their capital city. Apparently, Belgrade is overrun by violent thugs. Remember those thugs murdered a French football fan. International football matches should be the second thing to go as a result of this. FIFA and UEFA will be contacted over this. No home football matches for any Serbian team.

8)The first thing to go should be any public event geared towards those that oppose Gay rights. Obviously, that would include the Serbian Orthodox Church. Since Gay Serbians cannot assemble or participate in any public event on the streets of Belgrade, then the Serbian Orthodox Church, Dveri, etc. should be banned until the Gays can have equal rights to the same streets. Any exceptions made for anti-Gays should result in more lawsuits against Serbia.

9) The Serbian Government should be asked why Mladsen Obradovic is still not in prison for his riot inducing behavior last year even though he has been criminally convicted. And how he can be provided with a protest permit to protest Gay rights on the same weekend as a Gay pride parade. By the way, Balkan Insight reports that Obradovic (a violent extremist - convicted by Serbia) is reporting the support of elements of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

9) Gay males should apply to be officers in the Belgrade police department. When they are discriminated against for being openly (known publically) Gay, they should file additional lawsuits against Serbia.

How can Serbia ask to control Mitrovica when it cannot police Belgrade? Get ready for that argument. Because its a valid question now. Any assurances of equal rights and protection for minorities given by the Serbian government in Vojo or in Mitrovica have been bared to be toothless. And it isn't the fault of Gay Serbians for demanding their rights under the Serbian constitution It is the fault of the skinheads, who seek to profit from the threat of violence and the Serbian authorities who allowed violent thugs to profit from this violence. Do any of you realize how much damage you guys have just done to Serbia in Kosovo with this ban?

Get ready for a long, LOUD, and persistent chorus of condemnation of Serbia. And, the anti-Gays in Serbia earned it. This isn't going to go away in a week.

Just when you think it can't get any worse in serbia... it does. worse, worst, what comes next. horridly pitiful?

the blgd regime is lower than low. lowwwwwww... dacic is a two bit milosevite, but just another part of the problem. they are all the same -- tadic, jeremic, bogdanovic, stefanovic, dacic, who are we forgetting? these are the "pro-western democrats"????? according to whom, some copy editor in london? please!

No, it doesn't tell the full story, but includes tadic's role (the peacemaker (!!!), obraz... all the blood plans, exactly as we predicted, but duh. you have a slew of low-life politicos and their um media to stir up the hornet's nest, day after day after day. riling up the "hooligans" , and then they announce: we have to prevent violence! oh no you don't -- you have to foment it.

and yes, "kosovo" is part of the problem... just call a damn spade a spade.

so a part of me wants to say: all lgbt ppl and anyone there with 1/2 a conscience (1/2 is better than none?) should emigrate tout suite. but first of all, that's naive and impossible; second of all, it would make things all the more intolerable there. third of all, why the hell should they? allow them (govt and right wing orgs, incl the church hierarchy) to intimidate them, force them out or underground. allow the obraz types to claim victory, which of course they have, and they're right. thank you belgrade regime!

so now i'll pass on a bit more -- we have been in contact w/ one of the organizers (short and sweet) -- and it was really rough to make the connection (3 seconds). anyway, they predicted this might happen, so-called last minute cancellation. planned all along i'm sure, dacic as attack dog (my words.) they were predicting some 1000 participants, a very short walk (as others have mentioned) -- anything but the carnival atmosphere of a toronto, rio, new york, frisco, or at least 100 other locales! normal, where ppl can have fun, play music, shake it up a litle, enjoy... for belgrade, no way! more like a damn military walk, if that ain't sad.

they said there was some rapport with police (individuals?), lots of organization, security, plenty of allies from around the region, the world.

i can't imagine that such lgbt organizers, w/ nerves of steel, are going to take this well. but we shall see. i'll share what i learn, if they allow it.

anyway, very sad state of affairs, and the orthodox leaders playing out their usual sleazy role.

thanks. roberto frisco -- oh, sorry, i mean "roberta" oooh, that one really cut so deeply... how bout: go to yr albanian brothers?!)

This is shameful. Banning this parade means a victory for hooligans, skin heads, and any radical organizations. These people present a far greater treat to the security of Serbia than do homosexuals.
(Petar, 30 September 2011 22:37) Nonsensical nonsense you put out it means a victory for the ordinary citizens that will not have to watch a lewd and rude spectacle. Being unrelentingly pushed out displayed on the streets by the morally bankrupt elite to attack the moral common senses of the majority of the citizenry. The gays can parade in their own bedrooms no one is interested seeing it on the streets

This is shameful. Banning this parade means a victory for hooligans, skin heads, and any radical organizations. These people present a far greater treat to the security of Serbia than do homosexuals.
(Petar, 30 September 2011 22:37)

Much grater percentage of people in Serbia don’t approve of homosexuality. Just because someone doesn’t agree or accepts homosexuality does not make them radical or hooligan. I say, by homosexuals forcing their way of life on the people that are not homosexuals be it thru parading down town Belgrade or any other way makes them radicals. I say they present much greater treat and danger to my way of life, what I believe in and the way I was brought up. And you don’t see straight people parading every few months any ware in the world to show to everyone that they are straight.

Clean victory for fascists and religious fanatics. Well done, Serbia!

To allude to Milan's comment: I am happy the gay parade was cancelled, and I don't care for what reason it was cancelled. The negative to this is that now the people who are against the government cannot protest this weekend as well, and also we cannot see what would happen if: 1. The parade went forth, 2. The police would refuse to work it, and then 3. The government power apparatus would be challenged as a result of one of their "forces" being taken away from them. Oh well, that will have to wait for another day.

Actually not sure this is a done deal quite yet. The Serbian government wanted to keep this decision under wraps and then 'democratically' reveal it to us at the last minute.

This way any counter pressure to let the march continue would be doomed to fail.

Anyway if this is true what message has been sent? The message is that those who threaten violence or choose to take the law into their own hands will be rewarded?

The threat of violence gives results and peaceful protest is sanctioned.

Good move - the police can use this opportunity to arrest any miscreant who violates the ban. I think the authorities were worried that some "hooligans" would use the parade as an excuse to attack the us embassy again.

"sooner or later one of the idiots on this site as usual will say if you do not want to see the parade then stay away. Well who on earth are you to tell me where I should or should not go? what if the gays want to organize parades everyday, are we suppose to continue to stay away ?"
(???, 30 September 2011 16:12)
------
And who the hell are you to tell gay, lesbian and bisexual Serbian people that they cannot hold a protest march which they have the right to do under the constitution? Why would they hold one everyday? Stop talking rubbish. It's 3 hours in 1 day in 1 year where they want to walk round the block. It's not asking much.

"Milan.

That's basically been the Serbian position all along. "It's nobody's business but ours that we're oppressing albanians. Don't mention 'srebrenica', please it might hurt my feelings because I don't think you know enough history.
(Danilo, 1 October 2011 14:46)"

Please stick to the subject of the main article. Whatever you wrote can be written about and applied to most ethnic groups from the former Yugoslavia so stop portraying Serbs as just devils and the others as just angles and innocent victims. Some outsiders might buy your BS, but not me and others who know better. Finally, I am not as sensitive as you appear to be so no feeling were and will be hurt except yours.

sooner or later one of the idiots on this site as usual will say if you do not want to see the parade then stay away. Well who on earth are you to tell me where I should or should not go? what if the gays want to organize parades everyday, are we suppose to continue to stay away ?
(???, 30 September 2011 16:12)

Don't you see that your arguments are similar to the Muslims forcing women to wear a burqa or to stay at home because it's so unacceptable for anyone to see a female person in public without it?

Milan.

That's basically been the Serbian position all along. "It's nobody's business but ours that we're oppressing albanians. Don't mention 'srebrenica', please it might hurt my feelings because I don't think you know enough history.

"The Serbian government may have had no choice but to make this decision. The problem lies with the homophobia that seems to be rife in Serbia. A country with this level of intolerance is not mature enough for the EU"

In translation. If you want a normal life, where your children can learn the traditional values of your community, YOU don't belong in the EU. If you oppose something imposed from Bruxxxelles, you're a radical and YOU don't belong in the EU. If you live by your christian values, then, YOU don't belong in the EU. If you don't want to see men dressed as women, YOU are not mature enough for the EU.

Well, serbs, i'm glad that you're not mature, then. Greetings from a "mature" Romania. We were not that lucky.

It is interesting that because of this news article, that in the eyes of many outsiders puts Serbia in a bad light, suddenly many new commentators come to this site to spew their anti-Serbia rhetoric. To me it seems like a coordinated effort to discredit Serbia and its people once again. There are many countries in the world where being homosexual is a crime and where people get killed, imprisoned, or are openly discriminated. None of this happens to homosexuals in Serbia. Like all countries there are homosexuals in Serbia and people know that. Just because Serbia, like many other Balkan countries, is a more traditional society with a strong religious influence, that many people do not mind, does not mean that people do not accept homosexuality as long as it is out of site, just like it was in the west not that long ago. In many western countries homosexuals endure harassment and violence by both natives and Muslim immigrants. Just give Serbia and the Serbian society time to change and openly accommodate the needs of people of all sexual preferences and flavors. Outside interference to force something upon people who need to follow their own pace always backfires. Peace and love to all.

There are plenty of places where gays can march freely and parade their sexuality so why don't they just go to all the other annual "pride" parades?

I don't see the point of having these parades especially in countries where it is against cultural/religious beliefs.

These parades along with other minority group events just seek to destabilise and recreate regions.

Serbia should keep their cultural and traditional values.

Gays should have rights but not rights to parade their sexuality in the rest of the country's faces.

Wow! I am a Serb and my Serbian heart is as big as anyone's and I'm not ashamed of that, but I am ashamed of Serbia and its government for not being able to manage a parade. Absolutely ridiculous. I've lost my faith in Serbia ever joining the civilized world. Alot of individuals are actually delusional and consider themselves to be much greater than the average person for no apparent reason at all. Shameful display of governance Grow up Serbia and all Serbs who have no clue about science and what the modern world has come to accept as just simply an individual's sexual orientation. Why feel so threatened? Could it be because of the fact that most extended families, based on statistics, would have at least one or two gay people in them. Staying single for life in a traditional society. Hmmmmm? Very interesting indeed!

so now i'll pass on a bit more -- we have been in contact w/ one of the organizers (short and sweet) -- and it was really rough to make the connection (3 seconds).
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

Ever installed SkyPe?

---

some 1000 participants, a very short walk (as others have mentioned) -- anything but the carnival atmosphere of a toronto, rio, new york, frisco, or at least 100 other locales! normal
.
.
.
.
where ppl can have fun, play music, shake it up a litle, enjoy... for belgrade, no way! more like a damn military walk, if that ain't sad.
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

That's the way it has to be. You want things like in Toronto? Sorry, most gays don't want that. That has nothing to do with gay rights, it was for business.

But you are welcome to explain in well-constructed English why the parade in Toronto is a good thing - but people can't bathe in California naked or topless on public beaches, pretty much a natural thing in Montenegro.

My next question will be about the scandal with Swiss children in Colorado and Serbian children in California.

So much about "sexually liberal" America.

thanks. roberto frisco -- oh, sorry, i mean "roberta" oooh, that one really cut so deeply... how bout: go to yr albanian brothers?!)
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

LOL it must have cut you since you decided to bring it up after your egotistical bla bla blabbing :) Try pushing this idea to your Albanian brothers (and sisters). See how far you can get. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to drink a beer in the park. Which you can't do in liberal progressive America. :)

A victory for every normal, traditional, decent person in Europe. Good job Serbia. We, in Romania, only dream of having such dignified people...

Let's hope your example will be followed.

In other words, the government of Serbia lowered their pants in front of the rightists.

A small group of people cannot hold a little parade in the center of what is supposedly a "metropol" without causing a national crisis?

"Serbia will stick to its traditional values: family,god and nation,the more they attack us the more fanatically we will stick to them!"
(CG, 30 September 2011 18:54)

Seems like these 'values' should better be called intolerance, hate, religious extremism, violence. I wouldn't be proud of sticking to them.

The Serbian government may have had no choice but to make this decision. The problem lies with the homophobia that seems to be rife in Serbia. A country with this level of intolerance is not mature enough for the EU.
(Briarwood, 30 September 2011 18:10)

That's pure nonsense. I live in the US, and it's only in recent years that such a parade happens without major problems, or that gay relationships are viewed as tolerable. Try running a full-scale gay rights parade in Montgomery, AL; Jackson, MS; Oklahoma City, OK; Columbia, SC; Boise, ID; Phoenix, AZ, or Omaha, NE. You will have big time problems, demonstrations or worse. By your logic, the U.S. isn't fully ready for the EU. Serbia just got bombed by the West 12 years ago, and it's fighting for its rightful territorial integrity. They are rather busy with other matters right now.

Tom in Lazybrook, I cannot understand so much blind hate towards Serbia and an uncontrolled bias and prejudice just because some controversial event was cancelled. It is Serbia's own business and if the decision will start a new clock then so be it. I am sure there are many more people suffering worldwide because of many other more important issues and it might be useful to convert your hate-energy into a more productive form and start solving those problems.

It's next to impossible to promote civil rights in the middle of a recession. It's no coincidence the US civil rights movement was during the prosperity of post-WW2 America. Serbia will only advance civil rights for all its citizens, including gays, once the economy improves and people have decent wages. Unfortunately, considering the fact Tadic and his party are avowed neoliberals, Serbia' gay community will not improve its position any time soon.

No EU for Serbia. As Serbia cannot protect 500 people peacefully marching in their national capital, they should not be able to host any international events, including UEFA or international football matches.
(Tom in Lazybrook, 30 September 2011 19:21)

Tom just stick to posting on gaypatriot.ne* instead of trolling around here.

It's weakly from the serbian state to ban the parade. They are baning democracy by not allowing people to express them self.
(Demi, 30 September 2011 17:02)

LOL Have a pride parade in Pristina. Or Tirana. See what happens. Make sure you call EULEX and NATO to put out the fires afterward :)

"90% of the Serbs commenting here live in "so-called" Serbo-phobe places like Toronto, where gay parade is a funny event, to say the least. I wonder how many Serb diaspora have felt offended by those parades in the countries where they live and how many of them have given up being "straight"
(miri, 30 September 2011 21:42)"


miri, do you know why they never seem to hold such parades in Pristina or Tirana?

Ataman,

"Robert(o/a)" should put some effort to have a daily Gay Parade in Disneyland just before the daily Mainstreet Parade. The conservatives in Orange County should be happy about that and if they are not they should be labeled homophobes and worse.

That's pure nonsense. I live in the US, and it's only in recent years that such a parade happens without major problems, or that gay relationships are viewed as tolerable. Try running a full-scale gay rights parade in Montgomery, AL; Jackson, MS; Oklahoma City, OK; Columbia, SC; Boise, ID; Phoenix, AZ, or Omaha, NE. You will have big time problems, demonstrations or worse. By your logic, the U.S. isn't fully ready for the EU. Serbia just got bombed by the West 12 years ago, and it's fighting for its rightful territorial integrity. They are rather busy with other matters right now.
(Michael, 1 October 2011 02:12)

All of those cities have Gay Pride Parades. In public. And have so for years. No violence happens at these events.

miri, do you know why they never seem to hold such parades in Pristina or Tirana?
(lowe, 1 October 2011 04:42)

LOL no she doesn't because she lives in the United States :)

thanks. roberto frisco -- oh, sorry, i mean "roberta" oooh, that one really cut so deeply... how bout: go to yr albanian brothers?!)
(roberto, 1 October 2011 02:58)

"Roberta" is indeed wrong. After all, it's not our business to determine the gender or Dragan(a) and the problems have nothing to do with "LGBT" per se.

Better: "Robot Berta": robots are gender neutral and work only as far as they were pre-programmed.
Or: "Robot Lobotomy" (even more gender neutral and 'lobotomy' describes the things even more precisely).

Example. You want to tell us, Serbian authorities monitor your conversation with LGBT community and after a 3-second call switched you off. At the same time you can enter Serbia at will, no one is harassing you despite the fact you provided the whole word not only with your full family name but also with your home address and even your land-line phone number.

And what happened? Not even your lousily written home page with "Jasenovic" is hacked, no one calls you in the middle of the night and Serbian/Russian guys in black did not take you to Siberia yet. The only logical explanation: people do not care less about your person, your views and what you do.

The 3-second phone call is ridiculous, watch out - tomorrow you will get a visit from Šešelj, Captain Dragan(a) and maybe even Putin with Dalai Lama in tow, you are that important.

See the link here - http://portraitsofhumanity.org - what a disgrace, the word "Jasenovic" is still not corrected in all places you made the mistake. That's why "Robot Lobotomy": refuses to acknowledge being a first-class ignorant.

“The Parade should be held but it would be canceled in all countries if there is concern that there could be bigger problems than holding of the Parade and that bigger incidents could happen,” Dačić stressed earlier today.

True, but in other countries ordinary people don't have a problem with such a parade, or they protest in a civilized manner.

There were around 4000 hooligans last year but police did good job and protected gay parade, but this years it looks like they are planning massive attacks on whole city, its because of politics and because they want goverment to go down. Situation in Kosovo made things worse, this is not about Belgrade or gay parade its more serious.

Milan,



What I'm saying is it's NOT nobody's business when someone is being opressed.

"Milan,

What I'm saying is it's NOT nobody's business when someone is being opressed.
(Danilo, 1 October 2011 16:13)"

Danilo,

First of all it is "oppressed". Second, I really do not care what you write, say, or think. Third, who is oppressed and by whom? In many Western countries gays, lesbians, transgenders, transsexuals, and so on have a hard time. Many are harassed, attacked, and discriminated by locals and especially young male Muslims. Personally I do not have a problem with a gay parade. I will not watch one because it is probably boring. I do not agree with the people who threatened with violence against the gay parade, but I also think that it is completely out of line to brand all of Serbia and its people as backward for cancelling it. I have no need or interest in a straight parade, even if I were a minority.

Scientists have so far confirmed homosexuality in 425 species.

Homophobia in only one.

"I am not homophobic by any means and have been friends with gay people but I really can't fathom out this need for a parade. Especially when it's EU funded. I live in the Middle East and even though the 'West' are always blowing bubbles about democracy they are very quiet when a 'friend' represses it's majority population. So a Gay Parade out here would never happen.
(Mr. David J. Jones, 30 September 2011 23:21)

I don't see the need for a parade, neither, but I tolerate it. Like I cannot understand the masses of fanatic football fans. But interesting to read that you are comparing Serbia to some Muslim hillbilly country that lives some centuries ago, under the surveillance of 'moral guards'.

So the short headlines that make it to foreign pages of world newspapers will only speak of Serbia banning pride parade.

There will be no mention of security concerns. It will be assumed by many that Serbia is a primitive society where homosexuals are regularly discriminated against.

Its not just those that support / don't mind this march - supporters of free assembly and the right to protest something may be next. The government has used an excuse of possible violence and cost as the reason to ban the protest.

To the right that think they have a victory, let me remind them of something they haven't thought of, but yet they will know I'm speaking the truth?

Do you think that if a protest concerning Kosovo was called that the government would now be able to ban it?

But don't allow me to stop you from celebrating guys. You have successfully handed over more power to the government, whilst taking it away from the people.

All of those cities have Gay Pride Parades. In public. And have so for years. No violence happens at these events.
(Tom in Lazybrook, 1 October 2011 17:00)

No, they just have a national political party calling for a Constitutional ammendment defining what marriage is, and throwing up candidates that think homosexuality can be cured :)

If you look past the issue at hand "pro parade vs anti parade," the dilemma is whether a group of people should be allowed to express their views. Plenty of events/issues/public gatherings occur that someone may disagree with. What it comes down to is being able to understand that no matter what your opinion/moral beliefs are, we should all have a right to express ourselves. If someone is so firm on their beliefs than why is a gay parade such a threat? If someone is so confident in their morals than a parade would not be a threat to their way of life.

"First of all it is "oppressed"."

yes. when a minority is unable to have a walk in the park because 1000s of hooligans are going to smash the city as a result, that is a symptom of oppression in an oppressive society.


"Second, I really do not care what you write, say, or think."

Yes. This is quite evident by the way you're responding to all my posts in here.


"Third, who is oppressed and by whom? In many Western countries gays, lesbians, transgenders, transsexuals, and so on have a hard time."

ok. so? Their rights should be fought for there too. I challenge you, though, to give me an example of anywhere other than Islamic theocracies where SO many people have caused so much violence in response to such a small demonstration


"it is completely out of line to brand all of Serbia and its people as backward for cancelling it."

"Serbia bans gay parade" is what all the international headlines read today. That's because of Serbia that it reads that, not because of anyone else.

All of those cities have Gay Pride Parades. In public. And have so for years. No violence happens at these events.
(Tom in Lazybrook, 1 October 2011 17:00)

No, they just have a national political party calling for a Constitutional ammendment defining what marriage is, and throwing up candidates that think homosexuality can be cured :)
(Balkan Anthropologist, 2 October 2011 00:00)

------------------------------------------------------
You opined that life in Montgomery, or Boise, or Jackson, or Omaha is the same/worse than Belgrade. You don't know squat. I LIVE in Alabama. There are no bands of violent homophobes roaming the streets in Alabama (unlike Serbia), we have public Gay protests (unlike Serbia), we have spaces that are our own (unlike Serbia), we have out gay police officers, and we've even managed to get several openly Gay elected politicians. Unlike Serbia, Alabama's police and prosecuters actually put people in prison for crimes against Gay people (why is Obradovic still not in jail?) Its not perfect, but it is 1,000,000 times better than Belgrade. The Republicans are bad, but Serbia's politicians are much much worse.

Here's Omaha's Gay pride website http://ongp.com/
Here's Mississippi's http://outoberfest.com/ (There are two other Gay pride parades in smaller Mississippi towns
Here's Alabama's http://centralalabamapride.org/ Alabama's second city has a Gay pride as well.
Here's Idahos http://www.boisepride.org/
'
I think we can just establish that you don't know anything about the south or intermountain west as every single city of any consequence in the USA has multiple public gay events. Yes, it is true that there have been referendums that have resulted in Gay couples having the exact same rights as Gay Serbians (none) when it comes to marriage rights, but in the USA, that will be resolved shortly throught the courts. That constitutional amendment will never be passed in the USA. You'll find that in civilized countries, even those opposed to Gay rights support our right to speak publically and protest for that which we support.

Next year, perhaps we'll hold a pride parade in support of freedom of speech, protest, and petiton for Gay Serbs on the same day as the Belgrade Pride in the Serbian neighborhood of Chicago right outside the Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago! We might do the same in Toronto as well and London as well! And in front of the Europarliament. We'll get tons of media. How do you think its going to make Serbia look? Especially if predictably the event is cancelled or attacked by rightwingers/football hooligans/skinheads. We can't make Serbia do anything. But we can turn the volume up. Way up.