Tag Archives: Serbia

Serbian Gov’t Bans Belgrade Pride, Activists March On PM’s Office

For the third year in a row, yesterday the Serbian government banned Belgrade Pride, citing security concerns over threats of violence by neo-Nazi groups who battled hundreds of riot police at Belgrade Pride 2010. After Prime Minister Ivica Dacic announced the ban on state television, activists marched on his office. “After a long discussion on whether the march would pass …

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SERBIA: Neo-Nazis Threaten Repeat Of Violence At Belgrade Pride Parade

In 2010 hundreds of Serbian riot police clashed with neo-Nazis at Belgrade Pride, resulting in over 200 arrests. The following year’s event was canceled over fears of the same and last year’s pride event was banned. This week neo-Nazis again threatened this year’s planned parade. At a September 24 press conference, an assortment of right-wing nationalist organizations, including the president …

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Serbia To Consider Partnership Rights

Next week the Serbian Parliament will consider granting some rights to same-sex couples. The proposed law will be presented at a public hearing on June 4th. The draft law introduces the right of inheritance for same-sex partners who live in a long-term union. In case of the death of one of them, the other would inherit the pension of the …

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Serbia Bans Gay Pride

Bowing to Serbia’s Orthodox Church and claiming security fears, local police have banned this weekend’s gay pride march in Belgrade.   Police said they are banning the march planned over the weekend because they fear a repeat of the violence in 2010, when right-wing groups attacked such an event in Belgrade, triggering day-long clashes with the police that left more than …

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TRAILER: Parada

Der Spiegel says it’s a hit. The comedy “Parada” (“The Parade”) was last year’s surprise hit in the Balkans, with Serbian director Srdjan Dragojevic managing to draw 500,000 moviegoers into the theatres. It’s especially surprising when one considers that “Parada” is about a homosexual couple who wants to organize a gay pride parade in Belgrade, despite obstacles in the form …

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SERBIA: Cops Bust Anti-Gay Extremists In Violent Belgrade Pride Plot

Serbian authorities canceled this weekend’s Belgrade Pride events on Friday, saying that they could not devote the estimated 5000 riot police needed to protect parade attendees from expected neo-Nazi protesters. Yesterday police arrested six men who were found in the possession of ski masks and baseball bats. Riot police were deployed across Belgrade and other cities over the weekend to …

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SERBIA: Belgrade Pride Canceled Over Fears Of More Neo-Nazi Rioting

Saying they fear a repeat of last year’s violence, the government of Serbia has canceled this weekend’s pride celebrations. Last year Serbian riot police battled hundreds of neo-Nazi anti-gay rioters at Belgrade Pride, fighting back against hurled Molotov cocktails with stun grenades. Over 100 injuries were reported and almost 200 rioters were arrested. “The ban was issued in line with …

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SERBIA: Neo-Nazis Sentenced To Prison Over Violent Riots At Belgrade Pride

The neo-Nazi organizers of the violent anti-gay riot that broke out during last year’s Belgrade Pride have been sentenced to prison. Over 200 people were arrested during the melee. The Higher Court in Belgrade has sentenced far-right organization Obraz leader Mladen Obradović to two years for organizing riots during 2010 Pride Parade. His wife Jelena was sentenced to a year …

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Eurovision 2011: Serbia’s Nina

I’ve already posted all 42 entries for 2011, but since I’m picking Serbia to win, here’s a just issued English-language production video for Nina’s entry. It’s very Swing Out Sister meets Basia and sounds just as great in Serbian.

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Eurovision 2011: Serbia’s Nina

Love, love, love. My favorite so far.

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SERBIA: Riot Police Clash With Violent Anti-Gay Protesters At Belgrade Pride

Serbian riot battled hundreds of neo-Nazi anti-gay rioters at Belgrade Pride today, fighting back against hurled Molotov cocktails with stun grenades. Over 100 injuries were reported and almost 200 rioters were arrested. Thousands of police officers sealed off the streets in the capital where the march took place, repeatedly clashing at several locations with rioters who were trying to burst …

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Serbia Cancels Belgrade Pride: We Can’t Protect The Marchers From Violence

Backing down on their promise to protect marchers with thousands of riot police, the Serbian government has canceled Belgrade Pride, which was to occur this weekend for the first time since 2001. Authorities have told organizers of the Pride Parade that the safety of its participants cannot be guaranteed and that, therefore, the event cannot be held. Organizers held an …

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Serbia To Try Gay Pride Again, Extremists Promise Violence

Serbia’s last gay Pride event was in 2001, when extremists attacked participants with stones and rioted around a student center where gays had taken refuge. Subsequent attempts to restage a parade failed. But this weekend, Belgrade will try again. Orthodox Bishop Amfilohije has already warned Serbians that the event will be a “parade of shame” adding that “gay and lesbian …

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Warnings To Gay Eurovision Fans

The British embassy in Belgrade will issue a pamphlet of “advice” to gay fans heading to the Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia this month, after fears were raised that local fascists plan to attack homosexual attendees. The British Embassy in Belgrade is funding the production of an information leaflet for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people planning to visit the …

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Serbia’s Eurovision: Too Dangerous For Gays To Attend?

The president of Serbia has issued “a guarantee for the safety of delegations, press and fans” attending this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. Concerns have been raised about possible violence from Serbia’s active fascist element, particularly against the many gay men that follow Eurovision so avidly. Last week a local fascist organization vowed in their newspaper to attack gays …

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