Author: WeBalkans

In July 2020, Montenegro’s parliament narrowly voted to legalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples, making it the first non-EU Balkan state to do so. A year later, the first same-sex marriage was recorded in the coastal town of Budva. Officials celebrated this milestone and pledged to adjust the legal framework accordingly. However, it’s important to note that homosexuality remains a sensitive issue in Montenegro, a socially conservative country, as it does in other Balkan nations.  Requests sent to the relevant institutions and the Ombudsman indicate that in the period from 2019 to 2022, more than 400 cases of discrimination and hate speech were reported. (Equal access to justice for LGBTIQ+ persons in Montenegro – Myth or achievable reality? Queer Montenegro 2023).

This year, the eleventh Montenegrin Pride event took place under the banner of “Self-determination” or “Samoodređenje.” Organized by the NGO Queer Montenegro, it aimed to convey the message that violence against the LGBT community should not be tolerated in Montenegro.

 “The Pride parade is a movement; it’s a peaceful protest for human rights, and it’s essential not just in Montenegro but worldwide. Particularly in these times when right-wing movements are threatening not only LGBTQI rights but human rights in general.”

This year’s Pride celebration centered around the theme of self-determination, emphasizing the right of every individual to define their own identity. It was an inclusive event, intended to be accessible to all. The Pride week featured a variety of activities, including a Human Rights fashion show, panel discussions on topics such as the Right to Self-Determination and the quality of healthcare for transgender individuals, discussions on minority stress and disparities, and more. There were also enjoyable networking activities like the Pride Quiz, Drag Shows, live band performances, DJ parties, and, of course, the main event, Montenegro Pride.

Enes Pucurica, a Young European Ambassador, played a role in the organizing committee. He shared, “The Pride parade is a movement; it’s a peaceful protest for human rights, and it’s essential not just in Montenegro but worldwide. Particularly in these times when right-wing movements are threatening not only LGBTQI rights but human rights in general.”

Reflecting on the history of Pride events in Montenegro, the first Pride march in 2014 faced significant challenges, with over 500 protesters, primarily football hooligans, engaging in violent confrontations with a small group of gay activists. This resulted in injuries to twenty police officers and the detention of 60 people. Last year, a public prayer gathering was organized in front of the cathedral in opposition to the Pride event. However, this year, the organizers faced relatively minor challenges, mainly concerning the rainy weather on the day of the Pride March. Enes noted that despite concerns about low turnout due to the rain, hundreds of people, including international guests, participated, and the event was a resounding success.

“In addition to being a form of protest, Pride is also a celebration of our identity. It serves as a reminder that we exist, and we’re not going anywhere.”

About the project

Montenegro Pride is the national LGBTIQ pride march in the city of Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, which first took place for the first time in 2013. Since then Montenegro Pride has become an annual event. It is self-identified as an LGBTIQ pride rally. Montenegro Pride is organized by a volunteer and grassroots Organizing Committee that is formed anew every year. The Organizing Committee of the Montenegro Pride is a non-hierarchical group and it is logistically supported by the non-governmental organization Queer Montenegro. Pride receives support and funding from various donors and sponsors, including the European Union.

According to Enes, one notable difference from previous years was the approach to curating this year’s program. It was more community-centric, with a focus on gathering input from the community about what they needed and what they wanted to see happen. Enes remarked, “We also featured a successful drag and human rights fashion show, along with panel discussions and other engaging activities.”

Enes goes on to explain that this year or the next, Montenegrin authorities are expected to pass a gender identity law. This is one of the primary reasons why this year’s Pride slogan was “self-determination.” Enes added, “In addition to being a form of protest, Pride is also a celebration of our identity. It serves as a reminder that we exist, and we’re not going anywhere.”