Serbia Cancels EuroPride Citing Anti-LGBTQ+ Threats

Serbia has announced that EuroPride, the biggest Pride celebration in Europe, will no longer take place in the country in September.

The week-long festival also includes larger-than-life opening and closing ceremonies, an HIV vigil, a human rights conference, and an array of activities, as Gay Times write. 

Belgrade, Serbia, secured hosting duties of EuroPride in 2019 after a vote.

“This event will be of substantial importance when it comes to promotion of the respect of human rights of the LGBTQ+ community and all citizens of Serbia,” said the country’s lesbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the time.

In a blow to the European LGBTQ+ community, current Serbian President Aleksander Vučić announced that the event would no longer move forward. It was set to take place from September 12 to 18.

“The Pride parade that was scheduled for the month of September will be postponed or cancelled, or whatever that miracle is called, it doesn’t matter,” he said on August 27.

Vučić also cited tensions with Kosovo, economic uncertainty, and threats from anti-LGBTQ+ extremist groups as part of the decision to cancel EuroPride.

“This is a violation of minority rights, but at this moment, the state is pressured by numerous problems,” he said, according in ABC News. “It’s not the question of whether they (extremists) are stronger, but you just can’t do it all at the same moment, and that’s it. I’m not happy about it, but we can’t manage.”

In response to Vučić’s announcement, the President of the European Pride Organizers Association, Kristine Garina, issued a statement confirming that the event will still move forward. “Neither the hosts of EuroPride 2022, Belgrade Pride, nor us as the licensor will cancel EuroPride in Belgrade,” she said. 

Garina also condemned the anti-LGBTQ+ groups and individuals opposed to the inclusive festival before stating that they’re using “tired old tropes, inaccuracies and downright lies to discredit” the event.

“EuroPride in Belgrade will not be cancelled and will bring together thousands of LGBTI+ people from across Europe with LGBTI+ people from Serbia and the wider western Balkans,” she continued. “It will bring many millions of Dinar into the local economy, and allow Serbia to show that it is on the road to being a progressive, welcoming European nation. What Serbian authorities must do is stand firm against these bullies, and protect the event.”

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