All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
For the first time in the country's history, thousands of Bosnians gathered in the streets of Sarajevo over the weekend to demand equal treatment and protection under the law and celebrate their LGBTQ+ identities. They were greeted by a rainbow in the sky.
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina decriminalized homosexuality in 1998, Bosnia had never held a Pride celebration, despite efforts by organizers. In the past when LGBTQ+ groups attempted to organize parades, officials denied requests due to concerns that anti-LGBTQ+ groups would use the event as an opportunity to incite violence. According to the news website Balkan Insight, LGBTQ+ events had faced attacks in 2008 and 2014.
Once again this year, government officials asked to postpone the march due to security concerns, but Bosnian activists pushed forward. Thousands of Bosnians marched hand in hand through the nation's capital on Saturday. The march lasted two peaceful hours and ended with a rainbow appearing over the Eternal Flame, the World War II memorial where the march ended.
\u201cU Sarajevu je ki\u0161a \u010dekala da zavr\u0161i \u0161etnja. A onda smo mi \u010dekali da se uka\u017ee duga. Sve je bilo kao re\u017eirano. I evo je. \ud83d\ude00 photo by Nineta Popovic\u201d— Damir Imamovic (@Damir Imamovic) 1567953604
Although religious conservatives held a days-long protest of the event, it appears not to have impacted the march.
The majority of Bosnia's top officials declined to make appearances or comment in support of the march, although Sarajevo's local Prime Minister, Edin Forto, attended the march. U.S. Ambassador Eric Nelson, who is gay, also showed up to support LGBTQ+ Bosnians.
Marchers also received support for neighboring regions, with attendees coming all the way from Yugoslavia, Montenegro, and Albania to join the event. Participants used the hashtag #imaizac ("open the door, please"), demanding their country move forward on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Although queer people are protected from discrimination in employment, the country has yet to enact workplace protections on the basis of gender identity.
Bosnia is the final country in the Balkan region to host an LGBTQ+ Pride event, and now that activists have shown that its LGBTQ+ population can celebrate safely in public, many are hopeful that this is the beginning of a new era for the nation.
The march was "proof that this state, with all its limitations, can ensure the rule of human rights," as activist Sanjin Buzo told Global Insight.
RELATED | Queer People in Serbia: The Long-Standing War for Equal Rights Rages On
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
39 male celebs who did full frontal scenes
28 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
These pics prove that Maluma is still our supreme thirst trap king
26 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
18 times male celebrities had to say they weren't gay
15 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
25 LGBTQ+ movies we can't wait to watch in 2024
45 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
Latest Stories
Want to see Tessa's Testicles? 'Global All Stars' queen is now on OF
87 LGBTQ+ athletes we'll be rooting for at the 2024 Olympics
Here's why fans think Lady Gaga will perform at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Tom Daley shows off how sturdy his Olympic Village bed is
That epic, queer 'House of the Dragon' kiss wasn't scripted
Oil up! Our fave shirtless Olympic flag bearer confirms he's headed to Paris
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
Homophobes are mad about 'Love Island USA' stars Aaron & Rob's bromance
July 22, 2024
How pro-LGBTQ+ is Kamala Harris?
BREAKING: Joe Biden has officially dropped out of the 2024 Presidential Election
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Mey Rude
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.