Pride march held in conservative Serbia under heavy police protection
A Pride march in Serbia’s capital of Belgrade has pressed for the demand that the government improve rights for the LGBTQ+ community who often face harassment and discrimination in the highly conservative Balkan country
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — A Pride march on Saturday in Serbia's capital pressed for the demand that the populist government improve the rights of the LGBTQ+ community who often face harassment and discrimination in the highly conservative Balkan country.
The march in central Belgrade was held under heavy police protection because of possible attacks from right-wing extremists. Organizers said assailants had assaulted a young gay man in Belgrade two days ago and took away his rainbow flag in the latest incident.
Serbia is formally seeking entry into the European Union but its democratic record is poor. Serbia's LGBTQ+ community is demanding that authorities pass a law allowing same-sex partnerships and boosting other rights.
“We can't even walk freely without heavy (police) cordons securing the gathering,” said Ivana Ilic Sunderic, a resident of Belgrade.
