Gay parade to be banned in case of security risks

"I am sure that somewhere within the Serbian constitution there are provisions for the right of assembly and laws against discrimination."

There are indeed such provisions within the constitution and the corresponding laws to support them. Unfortunately the only time that the constitution is regarded as inviolable is in regard to Kosovo. In fact, the ones who scream loudest about the constitution and the rule of law when it comes to Kosovo are the ones who are most eager to ignore it in every other aspect of political activity.

I am not gay. I am not orthodox, christian, muslim, right wing or left wing. One thing I certainly am is opinionated and my current opinion is that the government has chickened out and has given in to pressure from anti gay activists. I am sure that somewhere within the Serbian constitution there are provisions for the right of assembly and laws against discrimination. If there isn't then it is high time such provisions are made immediately or Serbia will be labeled as undemocratic and bigotry.

Cowards.

You politicians - protect free expression or RESIGN.

Homosexuals make up as much of the Serbian population as in any other population and deserve to make their voice heard. It does not matter whether you agree with them or not.

This is an issue of free expression and will be pursued until there is perpetual success.

This kind of suppression has to be fought and not tolerated. I suggest that the march should go ahead anyway.

If anything should be suppressed it is nasty nationalism and in particular the nationalists use of abusive religiosity.

Ecoman,

If it's asking "too much", to be treated like everyone else and be able to march around one block in protest like any other group has the right to do, then there's never a "wrong time" to ask for "too much"

"If there will be content (during Belgrade Pride Week) that associates Jesus Christ with homosexuals, I don't know how that will help with everything going peacefully," said the prime minister, and, according to reports, "recalled the protests in Muslim countries caused by the film about Mohammad".

Amazing and scary to see that the Serbian prime minister himself compares his state to Muslim countries with the archaic behavior of the population.

Ardi Asllani said, "Look at your birthrate in Serbia and Kosova!? That is all smart man/woman."

Smart? It doesn't take smarts to reproduce.

This comment is what one would expect from an individual living in a third world country. You measure your human value by your fertility.

When you can't properly educate, feed or clothe your offspring you do not reproduce. When you live in poverty, you do not reproduce.

When you can't properly care for your children and continue to have more children you are not smart.

We all know that that there is an unfortunate timing matter for this proposed Homosexual Parade.

I use the words Homosexual Parade rather than Pride Parade, because if there are any security risks, then it will bring Shame on Serbia, just when the EU wants Serbia to talk to Hashim Thaci the War Criminal and Terrorist suspect, who is not the type of person who is willing to compromise.

There could be intelligence that suggests that Germany and America would create violence to help the Albanians steal Kosovo, and this is only to be expected from Euro-America.

We know that October 6 is the date for the proposed Homosexual Parade, and we know that Eduard Kukan says that it will be clear in the European Commission’s report on October 10 what normalization of relations with Priština means, and the Serbia’s team for preliminary negotiations with Hashim Thaci will be formed a few days after October 10.

We have seen that last year the Parade that would have caused Shame to not allowed to proceed, because the EU would use it to discredit Serbia.

The Homosexuals can find Pride by telling all Homosexuals in Euro-America that Britain, America, France, Germany and the Kosovo Albanian Leadership are War Criminals and that Slobodan Milosevic and the Serbian People are Innocent.

It would be wise for to postpone the Homosexual Parade until after the American Election, so that no one can say that it influenced the American Election, and then look at any security concerns.

You know, sometimes people just have to step back a bit, and wait. I really do not think that this is a good time for a Gay Pride parade in BG. The country is in political, economic, corruption scandal turmoil, and on top of that, the gay community is asking Serbian citizens to be sympathetic to their cause - which most Serbians abhor. With no pun intended, let's keep it under wraps for a while longer, until the country stabilizes, and Serbian citizens become a little more calmer. When families have to worry about putting food on the table, the last thing they need is to now be asked to be sympathetic to a life style they detest. Chill a bit, gays, you are asking too much of Serbia at the moment. If you are Serbs, you should know better.

ecoman,

It's Serbs in Belgrade that are organizing the parade.

Once again, if you want a gay parade so bad in Pristina, go organize one.

OK fgh, then Serbia should hold its Gay Pride parade in Kosovo then. Since Serbs care so much about their Southern province, then that would be the perfect place to hold this EU accepted function. I am sure that all Albanians will turn out in masses to support their gay brothers and sisters. Maybe Thaci can be master of ceremonies? How do you feel about that, fgh, or are you only interested in criticizing Serbs in Belgrade?

This thread is missing the point. Homosexuals in Serbia do not live in fear; many of them (celebrities) openly declare their homosexual preferences without damaging their careers.

The so-called "Pride Parade" is all about the NATO Empire showing its power. It makes demands and Serbs must obey. End of story.

The question is whether the Serbian government, police and people will accept orders from their NATO enemies. If they do, then they are a vassal state; if they refuse, then the BBC will declare Serbia a pariah state.

Personally I think pariah is better than vassal.

Morality is victorious.

Well the Pride organizers could simply link up with Bus Plus protesters. That would certainly increase their numbers, but then again it might scare Djilas enough to ban it outright, fearing a social uprising. And probably increase the number of Bus Plus enforcers. Ah scratch that thought. I can't imagine Kandic and Ceda wanting to walk the same block with ordinary Serbs diverting attention away from them :)

Michael,

There have been many documented cases of gay-bashing in Serbia. One of these gay orgs publishes a map. I can't find it online. suffice it to say that your statement that gays live just fine in Serbia is demonstrably false. Celebrities can generally do whatever they want. We're talking about ordinary people. Last year some woman was stabbed in broad daylight for wearing an LGBT shirt. Who knows if she was gay or not. Situation for gays in Serbia is pretty grim. Saying "oh, things are fine" doesn't obviate the real problems that actual real-live gays have in Serbia.

Some sort of NATO plot? gimmie a break. If that were true, then the best antidote to this assault would be able to have the parade without incident.

This is even more facile than your "print money and everyone in Serbia will be rich", theory.

If Serbia wants to ban its own citizens from exercising their Constitutional rights of freedom of assemnbly, petition, protest, speech, and expression in their national capital then perhaps they should just call themselves Somalia, another failed state with such a weak central government that it cannot enforce the laws of the state in their own capital.
If Belgrade is overrun with terrorists (who seek to prevent legal proceedings by violence or threats) then perhaps the Belgrade authorities might wish to look at WHY Belgrade is overrun with terrorists. It might be because no one ever goes to jail for terrorism/violence against Gay Serbs.

In the event of a cancellation of freedom or petition, protest, assembly, and speech, the Gay Pride Parade should just be moved to the next weekend.

I really feel sorry for the ppl who have to live under such conditions -- russia, belarus, serbia. It is pathetic. Nevertheless, individuals manage to do their best, to try to live "normal" lives under such conditions.

We all do the best we can. conditions for LGBT ppl have improved considerably in the west over the last 30 years, but it still partially depends on where you live, the community, ages, attitudes.

In Serbia and the rest of the balkans things will also change, with time. But as long as the ultra-nationalists keep being "democratically" re-elected, it will be extremely difficult to build any kind of meaningful democratic institutions.

I send my best wishes to those who will attempt to exercise their democratic rights this coming week. Good luck, because you'll need it. That, and the support of all human rights supporters and ppl of good will...

roberto frisco

"When families have to worry about putting food on the table, the last thing they need is to now be asked to be sympathetic to a life style they detest"
(ecoman, 1 October 2012 14:23)

Sympathy and tolerance are two pair of shoes, in case you don't know. And if I would worry about putting food on my table, I would surely have more important things to do than to think about people who want to make a parade (or protest against them).

OK, I am at a loss here. What exactly is it that the gay community wants to say by holding their pride parade? Does the gay community want to change the average Serbs mind and beliefs about homosexuality? What is that they want? I hate to tell the gays in Serbia, but it will be a long time before you will be able to walk hand in hand with a gay lover in BG, or any other town in Serbia. I would wait a decade or two.

Danilo

There is more Gay bashing in a small English town then there is in Belgrade. In fact there is more thuggish behaviour in England than in Serbia. Belgrade is a safe city; I have walked its streets in the early morning without fear. I can't do the same in London.

The Pride Parade was not called to help stop the occasional attack on homosexuals, it is a demonstration of power. It is exactly the same when Moslems riot over insults to the Koran; they don't care much about the insults, instead their riot is about power. If they riot and get away with it, then they are powerful and will use that power to further their political ends.

The Pride Parade is about power. If the international Gays win, then they have asserted their control over Belgrade streets, its police and its citizens.

@ecoman. We've learned that the same type of reaction happens whenever we choose to begin fighting for our rights. The response of Serbia won't be different in 10 years. So we might as well begin NOW. The reaction will be the same.
Besides this isn't just about Gay rights. Its about Serbia being overrun with violent thugs that the government is unwilling or unable to control even on the streets of its national capital.

ecoman,

Quit feigning being "at a loss". Either you were a total failure at life in the west or you're being comically disingenuous. Hopefully the latter.

In case you're not being disingenuous, let me explain to you and to those to whom your arguments may seem meritorious.

Serbia is a conformist society. Those who do not fit the mold are discriminated against, beaten when they leave the places they socialize, ridiculed and not allowed to enjoy the rights that most of us take for granted.

In this situation, it's perfectly normal to seek the rights and status in society that most of us enjoy. So, while it might not be the case that a gay person could expect to to be able to kiss their partner in public anytime soon, these things have to be taken in baby steps. I remember, a few years ago, hearing Serbs saying "gays don't exist in Serbia". Well, they do and here they are. That's the first step. Where, a few years ago, people were saying they don't exists, now they know, for the most part.

So, first, a minority says "I exist", then it enters the public discourse. When it's in the public discourse, they can bring their concerns to light.

in short: baby steps.

Who gains when people have freedom of assembly: everyone

Who looses when people don't have freedom of assembly: everyone

roberto said, "I really feel sorry for the ppl who have to live under such conditions -- russia, belarus, serbia. It is pathetic."

Hahahah ... you are as fake as polyester.

Your hate-filled rants, that you have been regurgitating for years on B92, tell the true story of how you feel. Wack-job!

Tom in Lazybrook states that Serbia is "another failed state with such a weak central government", and that "Belgrade is overrun by terrorists". Allow me to educate you why you are talking nonsense. The fact that the parade has been banned shows one thing, that the government is actually starting to listen to the majority of its people, if you want to call any state opposed to gay parades a failed state then you could call China the same thing, however China definately isn't a failed state. This is a show that this government is ready to resist western political pressures, and this is a good show for Serbia's independence. What makes Tom in Lazybrook so angry is because he comes from the USA, a country which acts by dictating other countries how they should be, and as they did with Serbia bomb them when they do not listen, so he is clearly angry that Serbia has given the west the middle finger with regards to the gay pride parade. Arn't there still many areas in the deep south of the USA where you should be campaigning for gay rights, Tom?

I really feel sorry for the ppl who have to live under such conditions -- russia, belarus, serbia. It is pathetic.
(roberto, 1 October 2012 21:45)

Don't forget Albania and Kosovo, your two favorite places.

To SCP UK.

With regards to your comments questioning the visibility and safety of Gay populations in the Deep South of the USA. I am a Gay man who grew up in Alabama. I currently live in Texas. Gay Pride parades attract over 300k in Houston (including many straight families with children - the kids like the colorful displays) and over 100k in Atlanta. Pensacola has over 200k show up for a Gay fesitval. Even small places in the South, like Mobile, Savannah, and Little Rock have Gay Pride manifestations.

In the 1960's the Deep South was a LOT like Serbia is today. Back then we also had right wing thugs who used violence, with little correction or prosecution by the police, who wanted to use threats or violence to intimidate minorities from exercising their rights. We have largely solved the issues in the Deep South. Serbia today is where Alabama was in 1962.

As an American Southerner, who grew up as a minority during that time, I'm fully aware of the similarities between the situation in Alabama 50 years ago and Belgrade today. Its actually pretty close to EXACTLY the same situation. Belgrade will advance when its people and government decide that they'd rather have the rule of law rather than rule by a violent mob.

One is to laugh with comment posted by gays and their supporters on this page.The so-called parade has got nothing to di with human rights but is all about gays gaining power over the 99 per cent of the Serbian population.The constitution guarantees to all gays the same rights enjoyed by the rest of the population.The fact that gays in the West are pursuing to achieve marriage in church proves my point.Their aim is to destroy the institution of church and creates society based on the morals of sodoma and gomora.

OK fgh, then Serbia should hold its Gay Pride parade in Kosovo then. Since Serbs care so much about their Southern province, then that would be the perfect place to hold this EU accepted function. I am sure that all Albanians will turn out in masses to support their gay brothers and sisters. Maybe Thaci can be master of ceremonies? How do you feel about that, fgh, or are you only interested in criticizing Serbs in Belgrade?
(ecoman, 1 October 2012 16:26)

Since you are trying to portray K-Albanian as gays, you should think twice if I were you. Look at your birthrate in Serbia and Kosova!? That is all smart man/woman.

"If the international Gays win"

There are only thing at stake here Michael: is Belgrade gays and Belgrade non-gays.

"international gays". wth kind of weird fantasy is that?

I serious wonder if any of scpuk, michael thomas, peggy ari gold ever get laid with your kind of talk. I mean really. who would get laid more. My talk in Serbia or your talk in London.

I still have a bit of hope that you guys are all pulling some kind of joke.

"OK fgh, then Serbia should hold its Gay Pride parade in Kosovo then. Since Serbs care so much about their Southern province, then that would be the perfect place to hold this EU accepted function. I am sure that all Albanians will turn out in masses to support their gay brothers and sisters. Maybe Thaci can be master of ceremonies? How do you feel about that, fgh, or are you only interested in criticizing Serbs in Belgrade?"

(ecoman, 1 October 2012 16:26)

where in my comment did I criticize Serbs in Belgrade or anywhere else. I live here in Serbia, not because I must but because I choose to. There are many things I like and respect about this country and its inhabitants, whatever their ethnicity. There are, of course, also things I don't like, one of them being the hypocritical behaviour of politicians (whatever their ethnicity)who use contentious issues such as Kosovo or the Pride parade to divert attention from their own incompetence (to put it politely).
Incidentally, I agree with your point of view that holding a pride parade when half the youth in the country are unemployed and looking for someone to take their frustrations out on is not the wisest move. However, all citizens have a constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of assembly and if the Prime/Interior Minister feels too frightened to protect those rights he should resign immediately.

Ivica Dacic can change his mind in a split second, so his coalition partners.

"The Pride Parade was not called to help stop the occasional attack on homosexuals, it is a demonstration of power. It is exactly the same when Moslems riot over insults to the Koran; they don't care much about the insults, instead their riot is about power. If they riot and get away with it, then they are powerful and will use that power to further their political ends. "
(Michael Thomas, 1 October 2012 21:24)

You mean: Threats against the pride parade are demonstration of power. Serbian nationalist and hooligans use exactly the same arguments as the extremist rioters over the so-called 'insults' of the Koran. They don't care much about the gays, but their riots are about general intolerance and about power. In Serbia, the extremists don't even have to riot! Threats of violence are enough, and they get away with it.

"The Pride Parade was not called to help stop the occasional attack on homosexuals, it is a demonstration of power. It is exactly the same when Moslems riot over insults to the Koran; they don't care much about the insults, instead their riot is about power. If they riot and get away with it, then they are powerful and will use that power to further their political ends. "
(Michael Thomas, 1 October 2012 21:24)

You mean: Threats against the pride parade are demonstration of power. Serbian nationalist and hooligans use exactly the same arguments as the extremist rioters over the so-called 'insults' of the Koran. They don't care much about the gays, but their riots are about general intolerance and about power. In Serbia, the extremists don't even have to riot! Threats of violence are enough, and they get away with it.

Morality is victorious.

We all know that that there is an unfortunate timing matter for this proposed Homosexual Parade.

I use the words Homosexual Parade rather than Pride Parade, because if there are any security risks, then it will bring Shame on Serbia, just when the EU wants Serbia to talk to Hashim Thaci the War Criminal and Terrorist suspect, who is not the type of person who is willing to compromise.

There could be intelligence that suggests that Germany and America would create violence to help the Albanians steal Kosovo, and this is only to be expected from Euro-America.

We know that October 6 is the date for the proposed Homosexual Parade, and we know that Eduard Kukan says that it will be clear in the European Commission’s report on October 10 what normalization of relations with Priština means, and the Serbia’s team for preliminary negotiations with Hashim Thaci will be formed a few days after October 10.

We have seen that last year the Parade that would have caused Shame to not allowed to proceed, because the EU would use it to discredit Serbia.

The Homosexuals can find Pride by telling all Homosexuals in Euro-America that Britain, America, France, Germany and the Kosovo Albanian Leadership are War Criminals and that Slobodan Milosevic and the Serbian People are Innocent.

It would be wise for to postpone the Homosexual Parade until after the American Election, so that no one can say that it influenced the American Election, and then look at any security concerns.

You know, sometimes people just have to step back a bit, and wait. I really do not think that this is a good time for a Gay Pride parade in BG. The country is in political, economic, corruption scandal turmoil, and on top of that, the gay community is asking Serbian citizens to be sympathetic to their cause - which most Serbians abhor. With no pun intended, let's keep it under wraps for a while longer, until the country stabilizes, and Serbian citizens become a little more calmer. When families have to worry about putting food on the table, the last thing they need is to now be asked to be sympathetic to a life style they detest. Chill a bit, gays, you are asking too much of Serbia at the moment. If you are Serbs, you should know better.

I am not gay. I am not orthodox, christian, muslim, right wing or left wing. One thing I certainly am is opinionated and my current opinion is that the government has chickened out and has given in to pressure from anti gay activists. I am sure that somewhere within the Serbian constitution there are provisions for the right of assembly and laws against discrimination. If there isn't then it is high time such provisions are made immediately or Serbia will be labeled as undemocratic and bigotry.

This thread is missing the point. Homosexuals in Serbia do not live in fear; many of them (celebrities) openly declare their homosexual preferences without damaging their careers.

The so-called "Pride Parade" is all about the NATO Empire showing its power. It makes demands and Serbs must obey. End of story.

The question is whether the Serbian government, police and people will accept orders from their NATO enemies. If they do, then they are a vassal state; if they refuse, then the BBC will declare Serbia a pariah state.

Personally I think pariah is better than vassal.

OK fgh, then Serbia should hold its Gay Pride parade in Kosovo then. Since Serbs care so much about their Southern province, then that would be the perfect place to hold this EU accepted function. I am sure that all Albanians will turn out in masses to support their gay brothers and sisters. Maybe Thaci can be master of ceremonies? How do you feel about that, fgh, or are you only interested in criticizing Serbs in Belgrade?

OK fgh, then Serbia should hold its Gay Pride parade in Kosovo then. Since Serbs care so much about their Southern province, then that would be the perfect place to hold this EU accepted function. I am sure that all Albanians will turn out in masses to support their gay brothers and sisters. Maybe Thaci can be master of ceremonies? How do you feel about that, fgh, or are you only interested in criticizing Serbs in Belgrade?
(ecoman, 1 October 2012 16:26)

Since you are trying to portray K-Albanian as gays, you should think twice if I were you. Look at your birthrate in Serbia and Kosova!? That is all smart man/woman.

"I am sure that somewhere within the Serbian constitution there are provisions for the right of assembly and laws against discrimination."

There are indeed such provisions within the constitution and the corresponding laws to support them. Unfortunately the only time that the constitution is regarded as inviolable is in regard to Kosovo. In fact, the ones who scream loudest about the constitution and the rule of law when it comes to Kosovo are the ones who are most eager to ignore it in every other aspect of political activity.

"If there will be content (during Belgrade Pride Week) that associates Jesus Christ with homosexuals, I don't know how that will help with everything going peacefully," said the prime minister, and, according to reports, "recalled the protests in Muslim countries caused by the film about Mohammad".

Amazing and scary to see that the Serbian prime minister himself compares his state to Muslim countries with the archaic behavior of the population.

Ecoman,

If it's asking "too much", to be treated like everyone else and be able to march around one block in protest like any other group has the right to do, then there's never a "wrong time" to ask for "too much"

Ivica Dacic can change his mind in a split second, so his coalition partners.

OK, I am at a loss here. What exactly is it that the gay community wants to say by holding their pride parade? Does the gay community want to change the average Serbs mind and beliefs about homosexuality? What is that they want? I hate to tell the gays in Serbia, but it will be a long time before you will be able to walk hand in hand with a gay lover in BG, or any other town in Serbia. I would wait a decade or two.

Danilo

There is more Gay bashing in a small English town then there is in Belgrade. In fact there is more thuggish behaviour in England than in Serbia. Belgrade is a safe city; I have walked its streets in the early morning without fear. I can't do the same in London.

The Pride Parade was not called to help stop the occasional attack on homosexuals, it is a demonstration of power. It is exactly the same when Moslems riot over insults to the Koran; they don't care much about the insults, instead their riot is about power. If they riot and get away with it, then they are powerful and will use that power to further their political ends.

The Pride Parade is about power. If the international Gays win, then they have asserted their control over Belgrade streets, its police and its citizens.

Cowards.

You politicians - protect free expression or RESIGN.

Homosexuals make up as much of the Serbian population as in any other population and deserve to make their voice heard. It does not matter whether you agree with them or not.

This is an issue of free expression and will be pursued until there is perpetual success.

This kind of suppression has to be fought and not tolerated. I suggest that the march should go ahead anyway.

If anything should be suppressed it is nasty nationalism and in particular the nationalists use of abusive religiosity.

If Serbia wants to ban its own citizens from exercising their Constitutional rights of freedom of assemnbly, petition, protest, speech, and expression in their national capital then perhaps they should just call themselves Somalia, another failed state with such a weak central government that it cannot enforce the laws of the state in their own capital.
If Belgrade is overrun with terrorists (who seek to prevent legal proceedings by violence or threats) then perhaps the Belgrade authorities might wish to look at WHY Belgrade is overrun with terrorists. It might be because no one ever goes to jail for terrorism/violence against Gay Serbs.

In the event of a cancellation of freedom or petition, protest, assembly, and speech, the Gay Pride Parade should just be moved to the next weekend.

I really feel sorry for the ppl who have to live under such conditions -- russia, belarus, serbia. It is pathetic. Nevertheless, individuals manage to do their best, to try to live "normal" lives under such conditions.

We all do the best we can. conditions for LGBT ppl have improved considerably in the west over the last 30 years, but it still partially depends on where you live, the community, ages, attitudes.

In Serbia and the rest of the balkans things will also change, with time. But as long as the ultra-nationalists keep being "democratically" re-elected, it will be extremely difficult to build any kind of meaningful democratic institutions.

I send my best wishes to those who will attempt to exercise their democratic rights this coming week. Good luck, because you'll need it. That, and the support of all human rights supporters and ppl of good will...

roberto frisco

Tom in Lazybrook states that Serbia is "another failed state with such a weak central government", and that "Belgrade is overrun by terrorists". Allow me to educate you why you are talking nonsense. The fact that the parade has been banned shows one thing, that the government is actually starting to listen to the majority of its people, if you want to call any state opposed to gay parades a failed state then you could call China the same thing, however China definately isn't a failed state. This is a show that this government is ready to resist western political pressures, and this is a good show for Serbia's independence. What makes Tom in Lazybrook so angry is because he comes from the USA, a country which acts by dictating other countries how they should be, and as they did with Serbia bomb them when they do not listen, so he is clearly angry that Serbia has given the west the middle finger with regards to the gay pride parade. Arn't there still many areas in the deep south of the USA where you should be campaigning for gay rights, Tom?

Well the Pride organizers could simply link up with Bus Plus protesters. That would certainly increase their numbers, but then again it might scare Djilas enough to ban it outright, fearing a social uprising. And probably increase the number of Bus Plus enforcers. Ah scratch that thought. I can't imagine Kandic and Ceda wanting to walk the same block with ordinary Serbs diverting attention away from them :)

ecoman,

It's Serbs in Belgrade that are organizing the parade.

Once again, if you want a gay parade so bad in Pristina, go organize one.

Michael,

There have been many documented cases of gay-bashing in Serbia. One of these gay orgs publishes a map. I can't find it online. suffice it to say that your statement that gays live just fine in Serbia is demonstrably false. Celebrities can generally do whatever they want. We're talking about ordinary people. Last year some woman was stabbed in broad daylight for wearing an LGBT shirt. Who knows if she was gay or not. Situation for gays in Serbia is pretty grim. Saying "oh, things are fine" doesn't obviate the real problems that actual real-live gays have in Serbia.

Some sort of NATO plot? gimmie a break. If that were true, then the best antidote to this assault would be able to have the parade without incident.

This is even more facile than your "print money and everyone in Serbia will be rich", theory.

ecoman,

Quit feigning being "at a loss". Either you were a total failure at life in the west or you're being comically disingenuous. Hopefully the latter.

In case you're not being disingenuous, let me explain to you and to those to whom your arguments may seem meritorious.

Serbia is a conformist society. Those who do not fit the mold are discriminated against, beaten when they leave the places they socialize, ridiculed and not allowed to enjoy the rights that most of us take for granted.

In this situation, it's perfectly normal to seek the rights and status in society that most of us enjoy. So, while it might not be the case that a gay person could expect to to be able to kiss their partner in public anytime soon, these things have to be taken in baby steps. I remember, a few years ago, hearing Serbs saying "gays don't exist in Serbia". Well, they do and here they are. That's the first step. Where, a few years ago, people were saying they don't exists, now they know, for the most part.

So, first, a minority says "I exist", then it enters the public discourse. When it's in the public discourse, they can bring their concerns to light.

in short: baby steps.

"If the international Gays win"

There are only thing at stake here Michael: is Belgrade gays and Belgrade non-gays.

"international gays". wth kind of weird fantasy is that?

I serious wonder if any of scpuk, michael thomas, peggy ari gold ever get laid with your kind of talk. I mean really. who would get laid more. My talk in Serbia or your talk in London.

I still have a bit of hope that you guys are all pulling some kind of joke.

@ecoman. We've learned that the same type of reaction happens whenever we choose to begin fighting for our rights. The response of Serbia won't be different in 10 years. So we might as well begin NOW. The reaction will be the same.
Besides this isn't just about Gay rights. Its about Serbia being overrun with violent thugs that the government is unwilling or unable to control even on the streets of its national capital.

"When families have to worry about putting food on the table, the last thing they need is to now be asked to be sympathetic to a life style they detest"
(ecoman, 1 October 2012 14:23)

Sympathy and tolerance are two pair of shoes, in case you don't know. And if I would worry about putting food on my table, I would surely have more important things to do than to think about people who want to make a parade (or protest against them).

Ardi Asllani said, "Look at your birthrate in Serbia and Kosova!? That is all smart man/woman."

Smart? It doesn't take smarts to reproduce.

This comment is what one would expect from an individual living in a third world country. You measure your human value by your fertility.

When you can't properly educate, feed or clothe your offspring you do not reproduce. When you live in poverty, you do not reproduce.

When you can't properly care for your children and continue to have more children you are not smart.

Who gains when people have freedom of assembly: everyone

Who looses when people don't have freedom of assembly: everyone

I really feel sorry for the ppl who have to live under such conditions -- russia, belarus, serbia. It is pathetic.
(roberto, 1 October 2012 21:45)

Don't forget Albania and Kosovo, your two favorite places.

"The Pride Parade was not called to help stop the occasional attack on homosexuals, it is a demonstration of power. It is exactly the same when Moslems riot over insults to the Koran; they don't care much about the insults, instead their riot is about power. If they riot and get away with it, then they are powerful and will use that power to further their political ends. "
(Michael Thomas, 1 October 2012 21:24)

You mean: Threats against the pride parade are demonstration of power. Serbian nationalist and hooligans use exactly the same arguments as the extremist rioters over the so-called 'insults' of the Koran. They don't care much about the gays, but their riots are about general intolerance and about power. In Serbia, the extremists don't even have to riot! Threats of violence are enough, and they get away with it.

"The Pride Parade was not called to help stop the occasional attack on homosexuals, it is a demonstration of power. It is exactly the same when Moslems riot over insults to the Koran; they don't care much about the insults, instead their riot is about power. If they riot and get away with it, then they are powerful and will use that power to further their political ends. "
(Michael Thomas, 1 October 2012 21:24)

You mean: Threats against the pride parade are demonstration of power. Serbian nationalist and hooligans use exactly the same arguments as the extremist rioters over the so-called 'insults' of the Koran. They don't care much about the gays, but their riots are about general intolerance and about power. In Serbia, the extremists don't even have to riot! Threats of violence are enough, and they get away with it.

To SCP UK.

With regards to your comments questioning the visibility and safety of Gay populations in the Deep South of the USA. I am a Gay man who grew up in Alabama. I currently live in Texas. Gay Pride parades attract over 300k in Houston (including many straight families with children - the kids like the colorful displays) and over 100k in Atlanta. Pensacola has over 200k show up for a Gay fesitval. Even small places in the South, like Mobile, Savannah, and Little Rock have Gay Pride manifestations.

In the 1960's the Deep South was a LOT like Serbia is today. Back then we also had right wing thugs who used violence, with little correction or prosecution by the police, who wanted to use threats or violence to intimidate minorities from exercising their rights. We have largely solved the issues in the Deep South. Serbia today is where Alabama was in 1962.

As an American Southerner, who grew up as a minority during that time, I'm fully aware of the similarities between the situation in Alabama 50 years ago and Belgrade today. Its actually pretty close to EXACTLY the same situation. Belgrade will advance when its people and government decide that they'd rather have the rule of law rather than rule by a violent mob.

"OK fgh, then Serbia should hold its Gay Pride parade in Kosovo then. Since Serbs care so much about their Southern province, then that would be the perfect place to hold this EU accepted function. I am sure that all Albanians will turn out in masses to support their gay brothers and sisters. Maybe Thaci can be master of ceremonies? How do you feel about that, fgh, or are you only interested in criticizing Serbs in Belgrade?"

(ecoman, 1 October 2012 16:26)

where in my comment did I criticize Serbs in Belgrade or anywhere else. I live here in Serbia, not because I must but because I choose to. There are many things I like and respect about this country and its inhabitants, whatever their ethnicity. There are, of course, also things I don't like, one of them being the hypocritical behaviour of politicians (whatever their ethnicity)who use contentious issues such as Kosovo or the Pride parade to divert attention from their own incompetence (to put it politely).
Incidentally, I agree with your point of view that holding a pride parade when half the youth in the country are unemployed and looking for someone to take their frustrations out on is not the wisest move. However, all citizens have a constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of assembly and if the Prime/Interior Minister feels too frightened to protect those rights he should resign immediately.

One is to laugh with comment posted by gays and their supporters on this page.The so-called parade has got nothing to di with human rights but is all about gays gaining power over the 99 per cent of the Serbian population.The constitution guarantees to all gays the same rights enjoyed by the rest of the population.The fact that gays in the West are pursuing to achieve marriage in church proves my point.Their aim is to destroy the institution of church and creates society based on the morals of sodoma and gomora.

roberto said, "I really feel sorry for the ppl who have to live under such conditions -- russia, belarus, serbia. It is pathetic."

Hahahah ... you are as fake as polyester.

Your hate-filled rants, that you have been regurgitating for years on B92, tell the true story of how you feel. Wack-job!