Podgorica Pride replaced by a Conference on LGBT Rights, Freedom of Expression and Assembly
Podgorica Pride, which was planned to take place on the 31 May 2011, was postponed. Following the incidents during the IDAHO day event and the failure of the police to ensure the safety of the participant of the event, LGBT Forum Progress, the organiser of Podgorica Pride postponed the Pride, replacing it with a Conference on LGBT Rights, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Assembly and/or Sexual Structural Stigma in Montenegro.
The organisers pointed to the failure of the government to provide real (not just declarative) political support by ensuring the participation and public support of the Pride by leading political figures. The Pride March is postponed until such support is provided by the government.
During the conference, the organisers highlighted that the lack of institutional support was the main reason the Pride was postponed and called on the government to live up to their human rights commitments. Björn van Roozendaal, ILGA-Europe board member, participated and spoke in the Conference about the importance of the Council of Europe Ministers' Recommendations, and how the governments can support the LGBT cause in relation to the EU integration process.
More information about the Conference and LGBT Forum Progress can be found here.
