DDHK.ORG - Thousands of religious and far-right activists have taken to the streets in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, against the annual European Gay Pride parade, or EuroPride, which will take place next week. They considered this march to be damaging to family values because it supported lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer (LGBTQ) people.
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Bishop Porfirije, said the EuroPride event threatened traditional family values. "They want to tarnish the sanctity of marriage and family, and impose an unnatural union in place of marriage," he said while preaching to the crowd.
Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he was canceling the EuroPride march, saying authorities had not given permission to celebrate the event. Vucic also handed over to the police whether to disband the event that supports the lesbian, guy, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer (LGBTQ) group.
Despite the threats, LGBTQ and human rights groups have insisted on holding the march next weekend, even if authorities cancel it.
Gay is legal in Serbia. However, same-sex marriage is not allowed. In addition, activists say LGBT people often face hostility and discrimination. [Source: CNN Indonesia][DDHKNews]
