This year, thousands of people gathered in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, for the largest Pride parade the city has seen. The celebrations ensued peacefully with the protection of a heavy police presence, according to Washington Blade. In previous years, the parade had been canceled after violent anti-LGBTQ+ protestors threatened the safety of those in attendance.
Those who marched urged the Serbian government to pass new laws to protect LGBTQ+ rights and to also move forward on a “long-promised” same-sex partnership law. The Pride parade journeyed past the Serbian parliament building where a rally was led by parade organizers who read their list of demands and hung a rainbow flag from an office window.
Today in Serbia, while same-sex activity is legal, same-sex marriage and unions are not. According to Equaldex, Serbia does have some protections against LGBTQ+ discrimination in housing, the military, censorship, and employment, but the country falls short on recognizing queer couples and families.
Equaldex also reports that the Serbian public isn’t in favor of same-sex couples. When asked if same-sex partnerships should be allowed in the country, around 62% said no, and only 26% agreed. Similarly, around 57% of Serbians polled said they didn’t approve of a romantic relationship between two people of the same-sex.
The Serbian government has, however, been discussing a civil union bill since 2019, introduced by former Prime Minister Ana Brnabic who is a lesbian. Despite her efforts, President Aleksander Vucic announced he planned to veto the bill if it passed in parliament in 2021.
This year marks 23 years since the first Belgrade Pride in 2001, which was violently attacked by right-wing organizations, leaving over 40 people injured. Pride did not come to the city again until 2010, a year in which anti-LGBTQ protestors battled with police, causing the event to be banned in 2011-2012.
Serbia’s violent past in regards to the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t seem to support movement on a same-sex marriage bill, but queer residents continue to push for equality.
