Under the slogan “Resistance Builds Freedom”, Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, hosted the 13th edition of its Pride Parade on Saturday, with calls to protect LGBT+ rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals).
During a peaceful march through the city center, participants carried rainbow flags and banners with slogans such as: “March for Freedom,” “Where Are Our Rights?” “My Authenticity,” “Don’t Be Afraid of Yourself,” and “The Personal is Political.”
Participants emphasized that in Montenegro, the struggle for equality is not over, and that the parade is both a celebration and a protest.
The event concluded without incidents, though it highlighted that the LGBT+ community continues to face institutional discrimination, lack of legislative protection, and social stigmatization in Montenegro.
Several government officials and representatives from international missions attended the parade.
The first Pride Parade in Montenegro took place in Budva in 2013, where participants were attacked with stones and other objects. Subsequent parades also experienced incidents.
In 2020, the Montenegrin Parliament passed the Life Partnership Law, which took effect a year later. The law grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, excluding adoption rights.
While considered a major step toward recognizing LGBT+ rights in Montenegro, experts note that many laws remain unharmonized, creating legal gaps that complicate daily life for the community.
