The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, participated in the Pride Parade this year with the Commissioner’s employees, symbolically supporting the efforts to improve the position and protection against discrimination of LGBT+ persons.

The walk through the city center was the last in a series of activities that were held during Pride Week, traditionally organized by Belgrade Pride, where the Commissioner spoke about topics important to the LGBTI+ community and sent the message that although we do not all stand for the same values, we must be ready to understand each other to achieve equality and protect each individual from discrimination. The Commissioner stated that such manifestations are important for raising awareness about personal rights, the position of minorities, and human rights in general. We must perceive people around us in the first place as persons regardless of their sexual orientation, skin color, or religious affiliation, emphasized Janković.

She pointed out that despite the good anti-discrimination legal framework, people of different sexual orientations and gender identities face numerous negative attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes in various life situations. The Commissioner spoke about discrimination in work and employment at the panel “Position of LGBT+ persons on the labor market in Serbia” held as part of Pride Week.

Hate speech, harassment, and humiliating behavior, as well as attitudes and ideas that encourage discrimination and stigmatization of members of the LGBTI+ population, often occur in public spaces.  Because of this, many LGBTI+ people still find it challenging to decide to report discrimination, most often due to fear of condemnation and misunderstanding of the environment, stated Janković and emphasized that prejudices exist even when it comes to the actions of public authorities to whom we turn to protect the rights of LGBTI+ members.