‘LGBT issue is a political issue, requiring mature political leadership’

EU’s newest member Croatia hosted the 17th annual ILGA-Europe Conference with the participants from over 40 countries and Croatiaon government officials.

 

“Family matters! Reaching out to hearts and minds” themed 17th ILGA-Europe annual conference took place in Zagreb, Croatia. The opening hosted a number of government representatives with the presence of over 300 participants.

 

The opening speech was done by Vesna Pusic, the leader of Croatian People’s Party and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Pusic addressed the participants with a speech on what it means to protect and celebrate diversity in society:

 

“If you stop thinking that every of us is a minority –age, employment, religion, regions we live in etc., you are opening the door to be hit in the head yourself. As far as LGBT issue is concerned, there seems to be much more tolerance for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, because there are more excuses and reasons made up to justify these forms of discrimination.”

 

Commenting on the position of her government on LGBT rights, Pusic stated, “LGBT issue is a political issue, requiring mature political leadership. We, as the Croatian government, wish to continue a steady road.”

 

Ivo Josipovic, President of Croatia, also joined the event with a video greeting and stated: “Human rights include the right to freely express one’s sexual orientation and gender identity”.

 

Milan Bandic, the Mayor of Zagreb, welcomed the participants at the Palace Dverce on the evening of October 23rd. Following his welcoming speech, Croatian Lesbian Feminist Choir Le Zbor sang songs about lesbian love and feminism.