The Pride Parade took place in Belgrade on Saturday under the slogan “For the Family”, reiterating the annual calls for the protection of the LGBT+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals).
Organizers expressed solidarity with students and citizens protesting for months against the authorities, demanding accountability for the Novi Sad railway station accident last November, in which 16 people lost their lives after a concrete shelter collapsed. During the march, participants observed 16 minutes of silence in memory of the victims.
“Our silence should be louder than any speech,” organizers stated.
The event also highlighted ongoing LGBT+ demands, which remain unfulfilled. Activists are calling for the adoption of the same-sex partnership law and the gender identity law. While the first law has been drafted years ago, President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that it will not be passed during his term.
Authorities deployed increased police presence, and several streets in Belgrade were closed to traffic during the parade.
