The annual gay pride march had been repeatedly shut down since a 2010 incident where marchers were attacked during the parade. But on Sunday Over 1,000 gay rights activists filled the streets in Belgrade that had previously emptied of traffic and pedestrians by authorities. The event had no prior resistance by authorities but did face threats by anti anti- gay activists like the years before. The prime minister was even invited to go. He reportedly said that he couldn't come due to prior engagements. Then he went on to make it clear that he wouldn't have gone even if he was free. (Doesn't seem like anyone asked him anyway.)
There was even more concern about the event due to an incident earlier in the month where a German activists attending a conference was severely injured after being attacked. This raised the question of whether or not the Serbian police could protect marchers well or not. The attack however has made authorities realize that they need to crack down harder on the anti discrimination laws that are constantly ignored in Serbia. These laws state that there can be no broadcasting of anything to encourage or call for discrimination against the LGBT community in the media.
Serbian police force were the most notable attendants of the parade as thousands showed up sporting riot gear, water cannons, and even army tanks. They were proven unnecessary until anti- gay protestors arrived. Days before the march was supposed to take place, anti- gay graffiti could be spotted around the city saying things like "They will not march," and "Stop the parade of shame." The parade started off well but soon nearly 700 anti- gay protestors had gathered to put a stop to the parade. Even with this, there was no large scale violence. In fact, only anti- gay protestors were arrested after they attempted to become violent towards the marchers and police.
The march thankfully went smoothly other than the many protestors and police and was an amazing close to Serbia's Pride Week. This parade has put many issues back into the spotlight of Serbia's government which can hopefully mean change for the people of Serbia.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/belgrade-gay-pride-parade-cops-outnumber-marchers/story?id=25818361
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29399404
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Serbia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Serbia#Legal_protections
http://www.buzzfeed.com/claudiakoerner/powerful-photos-show-the-first-gay-pride-march-in-serbia-in#3klxw19
Marriage as an institution was created by God or if you're not religious it was created within a religious institution. According to that marriage was created to be between a man and a women and in the united states we all do have equal rights. No one may marry someone of the same sex regardless of sexuality and every one can marry someone of the opposite sex regardless of sexuality. What they want is special treatment not equal rights. They have equal rights; they even have equal legal rights according to cicil unions. What they want is to destroy the moral compass around marriage and the moral ideal that it is more right to marry someone of the opposite gender. I hope very much that there will be change in America, but not for gay "rights" for the moral well-being and upstanding of the country.
ReplyDeletecivil unions *
ReplyDeleteWell I think that this is a great expression of people's need to feel accepted and loved within a community, and I support the fact that discrimination is being banned and put down, no matter the situation. People should be able to express themselves and be happy, wherever they might be, and if these parades and marches allow people to exercise that happiness, then all the power to them!
ReplyDelete- Sophia Davison