A sort of revolution took place in Montenegro on that 20 October of 2013. Streets of Podgorica were covered in the colors of the rainbow, but everywhere around the “war was raging”. Vandals were trying to break through the police cordon and attack participants of the first Montenegro Pride. Stones, bottles, swear words… Police helicopter was flying over the capital city. Several persons were arrested. Seven years have passed. According to Mr Danijel Kalezić, president of the Administrative Board of Queer Montenegro, members of LGBTIQ community in Montenegro today live more freely, but they are not totally free.
Mr Kalezić recalls what was like to organize such event in a traditional Montenegro.
“As always, when you fight from freedom, it was exciting. You are taking part in a change for yourself and people who are not able to fight for themselves. In 2013, social circumstances were different. It was officially the riskiest event since the restoration of independence. But we vowed that we would win freedom and that we would never keep our heads down in front of those who hate us”, Mr Kalezić said.
One year later, the situation was different. Not so many attackers, the walk was longer and there were more participants…
“And then during the third Pride, it was even better. No one could deny our existence, people realized we are not “abnormal” and that we are not threat to traditional values or anyone or anything. We are people and we just want the rights that belong to us”, Mr Kalezić says.
Yes, the air is clearer now but the fight is not over.
“We are still witnesses to discrimination and physical and mental harassment. We are still exposed to constant violence by some political parties”, Danijel says.
Next Pride will take place by the end of the year
Given the fact that it’s time of coronavirus, it’s not known yet what it all will look like.
“But Pride will definitely take place, with adherence to the health protocols. We’ll find some way to organize the Pride, design a high-quality program”, Danijel says.
That’s how Montenegrin LGBT community came up the hard way to the adoption of the Law on Same-Sex Partnership. That historic moment took place on 2 July. However, this is only the beginning of the fight as this Law does not stipulate right of LGBT partners to adopt children.
The first pride took place in Budva
The first Pride took place on 24 July 2013 in Budva. Several hundred hooligans threw glasses and stones on the participants.
