UN Shows Ongoing Support for LGBTIQ+ Community During Belgrade Pride Week and Beyond

Belgrade, 9 September 2023 – As a part of its comprehensive support to LGBTIQ+ community, UN team in Serbia participated in Belgrade Pride Week 2023. Under the theme "Nismo Ni Blizu" (We Are Not Even Close), the week-long celebration aimed to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal attributes.

Throughout the Pride Week, the UN Country Team actively engaged in a series of conferences, discussions, and activities focusing on advancing LGBTIQ+ rights in Serbia. These initiatives aimed to promote awareness and understanding while fostering an environment of acceptance and respect.

The LGBTIQ+ community in Serbia continues to face persistent discrimination and marginalization. Reports from reputable sources, including UN Human Rights bodies and the European Union, highlight the ongoing challenges that these individuals encounter. Access to fundamental rights and vital services, such as healthcare, social care, education, and employment, remains limited for many members of the LGBTIQ+ community. Furthermore, critical issues such as legal recognition of gender and same-sex partnerships require further attention and resolution, and the rights and visibility of intersex individuals remain largely disregarded.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, the UN Country Team in Serbia reinforced its unwavering commitment to combating discrimination and ensuring the full realization of human rights for LGBTIQ+ individuals. Through its extensive human rights programs and campaigns, the UN family continues to support the LGBTIQ+ community while working closely with policymakers to promote equality, dignity, and respect for all people in Serbia.

As Belgrade Pride Week 2023 concluded, the UN called upon all sectors of society to unite in the collective effort towards building a more inclusive and equal future. With shared determination, it is possible to create a society where the rights and freedoms of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are fully protected, celebrated, and respected.