Participants in the Belgrade Pride march returned to Manjež Park for a concert program after walking through the city center to advocate for legal protections for the LGBTI+ community.

The Belgrade Pride march took place today under the slogan "There is room for all of us," with participants walking through central streets before returning to Manjež Park for a concert. The event, which began at 4:00 p.m., served as a protest for LGBTI+ rights. While the march was largely peaceful, police intervened during minor incidents near the Ascension Church and the National Assembly, resulting in the removal of several individuals, including a member of the clergy.

Calls for Legal Reform

Organizers and speakers emphasized the lack of political will to pass key legislation, specifically the Law on Same-Sex Unions and the Law on Gender Identity and Rights of Intersex Persons. Goran Miletić of Belgrade Pride noted that the community has insisted on these laws for years to improve their social and legal standing. Milan Antonijević, Serbia's Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, expressed support for the proposed legislation, stating it would grant essential rights such as inheritance and social protection.

Speakers Address Ongoing Challenges

During the event, speakers including journalist Danica Vučenić, this year's Pride godmother, and journalist Milan Nikolić highlighted that many of the community's demands remain unmet since the first Pride in 2001. Vučenić described the current atmosphere as one of threatened human rights and glorified violence, noting that the challenges faced by the LGBTI+ community have become a broader societal issue. Jelena Jerinić of the Green-Left Front added that while there is some increased social understanding, safety remains the primary concern for queer individuals.