Serbia’s first openly gay prime minister, Ana Brnabic, marched in Belgrade’s Pride parade for the first time saying her presence demonstrates the government's respect for all of its citizens.
Via Deutsche Welle:
“My message here today is that the government respects all citizens,” Brnabic told reporters. “We want to send a signal that diversity makes our society stronger.”
Carrying rainbow flags, balloons and a banner reading, “For change,” pride participants walked through the capital, Belgrade.
“Today we walk together and together we will stress that problems still exist and that we want to work together to solve them,” said activist Goran Miletic.
Riot police cordoned off the city center with metal fences as helicopters flew overhead to prevent possible clashes with extremist groups opposed to the pride gathering. Opponents gathered with their own banners but no incidents were reported.
Serbia has recently tried to improve its image with an eye towards European Union membership. Gay activists in Serbia hailed Brnabic's appointment in June 2017 as an important step in their struggle for gay rights, but say much more still needs to be done.
Serbia's first openly gay prime minister Ana Brnabic is on a gay pride march in Belgrade. Police have cordoned off the city centre. pic.twitter.com/WugxURB2KU
— Global's Newsroom (@GlobalsNewsroom) September 17, 2017
— ILGA-Europe (@ILGAEurope) September 17, 2017
Happy @BelgradePride! Insolidarity! #lgbtrights are #HumanRights @goranmiletic_en @crdefenders pic.twitter.com/DIGoZQN4JL— Tanya L. Domi (@tanyadomi) September 17, 2017
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