Under the slogan “All colors suit us well”, the seventh BH is being held in Sarajevo. pride parade, which gathered hundreds of activists and citizens.
The column of participants followed the previously established route with flags of the LGBTIQ+ community and the beat of drums, and through megaphones, demands regarding legal regulations, the education system and the general safety of all citizens, with a special emphasis on the LGBTIQ+ community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were presented.
The organizers state that the goal of the Parade is to point out the rights and position of LGBTIQ+ people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to promote equality, visibility and protection from discrimination, and to send a message that diversity should be accepted as an integral part of society.
Participants carry banners with messages of support for the LGBTIQ+ community, but also messages of solidarity with workers in BiH and the population of Palestine. Among the prominent slogans are “Homophobia in your four walls”, “No Pride in Genocide”, “Freedom has no entity” and “Love in spite”.
Member of the Organizing Committee Bh. of the pride parade, Enver Duraković stated that in the past years, certain progress has been achieved when it comes to the social position of LGBTIQ+ people, who today feel more free.
At the same time, he assessed that there had been no progress in the legislative framework and that the institutions had not fulfilled any of the demands that the organizers continuously make.
Among the participants of the Procession are the head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina Luigi Soreca, the president of Our Party Sabina Ćudić, the Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina Edin Forto, the Minister of Justice and Administration of the Canton of Sarajevo Darja Softić-Kadenić, the representative in the Assembly of the Canton of Sarajevo Miomirka Melank and the Deputy Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina Duška Jurišić.
Jurišić assessed that LGBTIQ+ people are among the most vulnerable groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that their rights are still not fully recognized.
Explaining this year’s slogan, the organizers said that “All colors look good on us” symbolizes acceptance of diversity and mutual respect.
All our differences – gender, sexual, ethnic, religious and others – are a natural part of our identity and as such deserve respect. “Colours” are not only a symbol of the LGBTIQ+ community, but a metaphor for everything that makes us different, but also connected – stated the organizers.
The procession moves along the route Obala Kulina bana – Reis Džemaludin Čaušević – Maršal Tito – Koševo, and the rally ends in Kemal Monteno Park near the Austrian House.
The security of the participants is ensured by the members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton, with the support of security agencies, and the employees of the Emergency Service of the Sarajevo Canton are also present. During the passage of the convoy, temporary traffic suspensions are in effect, Federalna writes.