Resistance Builds Freedom – The 13th Pride Held in Podgorica

Resistance Builds Freedom - The 13th Pride Held in Podgorica

This Saturday, Podgorica was draped in rainbow colours. At the 13th Pride Parade, participants sent a clear message: the LGBTQ community in Montenegro still faces institutional discrimination, a lack of legal protection, and deep-rooted social stigma.

The Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, joined the peaceful march. Participants carried rainbow flags and banners reading: "I march for freedom," "Where are our rights?", "Authentically me," "Don't be afraid to be yourself," "The personal is political"...

Speakers emphasised that Pride in Montenegro is not only a celebration but also a form of protest. They added that the fight for freedom and equality requires perseverance and solidarity.

The programme began at 2 pm in front of the Parliament of Montenegro, after which participants marched through the streets of Podgorica.

Jovan Ulićević, an activist from the Spektra Association, stated that the time for lenghty speeches is over and that the time has come to move to the streets and take action.

Members of the LGBTQ community once again called for the adoption of the Law on Legal Gender Recognition Based on Self-Determination.

Staša Batrica from Queer Montenegro declared that freedom is won through resistance and the courage to say "enough" when attempts are made to silence the voice of truth.

"Resistance is our pride and our anger, but also our greatest potential for unity and change. Today, as right-wing structures dominate across the world and the class divide deepens, the struggle for human freedom is by no means a local phenomenon - it is a universal challenge and our shared responsibility."

The first Pride Parade in Montenegro was organised in 2013 in Budva, where participants were pelted with stones by a group of citizens.

In the following years, the marches were held peacefully. In July 2020, the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law on Life Partnership, which came into effect in 2021.

Source: Radio Free Europe