25/07/2013 | Writer: Kristi Pinderi

The first Gay Pride in Montenegro caused yesterday an almost collective hysteria in the streets of Budva.

Clashes and an almost collective hysteria against the first gay pride in Montenegro Kaos GL - News Portal for LGBTI+
The first Gay Pride in Montenegro caused yesterday an almost collective hysteria in the streets of Budva a small touristic town that turned out to be one of the most homophobic places in the Mediterranean. But at the same time, this march could be considered an important milestone in the history of the LGBT movement of this small country that is trying to improve its records on human rights, in the process of integration into EU.
 
Tens of activists from Montenegro and also from Macedonia, Albania etc , managed to march along the promenade of Budva while hundreds of extremists throwing stones, glasses, bottles and other objects and shouting “Death to homosexuals”. For about two hours the police faced with serious difficulties to protect the LGBT activists but at the end the result might be applauded as none of the activists was injured. “I think the police did a very good job today”, said gratefully Zdravko Cimbaljevic, one of organizers of the Pride.
 
The fueled crowd of people and extremists was composed by young people, men but also women and young women, taking all the time pictures of the activists, spitting to them, throwing stones and fully participating in a hysterical situation that was hard not just to describe but also to believe that it was happening. Some of the extremists were accompanied into Police Station, while some bars were destroyed. Later on today Police confirmed that at least 20 people were detained, while the minister of Interior praised the Police and said they prevented more serious clashes today. You could also see people putting off their underwear in an attempt to humiliate the activists. “This attack is actually the real image of Montenegro”, said Cimbaljevic. It was shocking to see women and old family people to join to this hysteria. Probably only one woman, according to some activists, applauded in their support while the march was going on.
 
Activists improvised a stage were speeches were delivered at the entrance of the medieval castle of Budva. Xheni Karaj from Albania said: “They fight us with hate. We fight back with love. Today was a historical achievement in Budva. My brother Zdravko Cimbaljevic and all the other LGBT activists are the real heroes”. The activists were accompanied for security reasons by boat. The first attempt of the Police was to stop at Saint Stephen an isolated touristic village but they were not allowed there and finally a small and secure bay was found an old royal residence for the activists to go down of the boats and then escorted to a safe hotel. “I am sure Montenegro will never be the same after today”, said an activist while being at the boat, “there could not be worse but you know, after this it means things will finally get better, there is no other way”.
 
Another gay pride is announced to be organized in Podgorica the capital of Montenegro on October. That same month the Albanian LGBT movement is expected to organize the first pride in Tirana, as well. 

Tags: life
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