Montenegro, Europe

On the basis of a referendum held on 21 May 2006, Montenegro declared independence on 3 June. On 28 June 2006, it became the 192nd member state of the United Nations, and on 11 May 2007 the 47th member state of the Council of Europe. On 15 December 2008, Montenegro presented its official application to the European Union, with the hopes of gaining EU candidate status by 2009. Montenegro decriminalized homosexual sex in 1977. The age of consent legislation was equalized in 1977. Homosexuals are not banned from military service. Gays and lesbians continue to face discrimination and harassment in Montenegro. The police have conducted raids and beaten gays, which have been very rare, probably none, in the last few years. The gay scene is very small. Anti-gay attitudes are deeply ingrained.

 

News & Reports:

 

Montenegro legalises same-sex civil partnerships

London (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Montenegro voted to legalise same-sex civil partnerships on Wednesday, becoming the first European country outside of Western Europe and the European Union to legally recognise gay and lesbian couples. The law received 42 votes in the 81-seat parliament, Blanka Radosevic Marovic, a director in the Ministry of Human and Minority… Read more »

Montenegro: Parliament legalizes same-sex civil partnerships

Montenegro is the first European country outside of Western Europe and the EU to legally recognize same-sex couples. President Milo Djukanovic said it was a confirmation that Montenegrin society “is maturing.” The Balkan nation of Montenegro legalized same-sex partnerships on Wednesday. President Milo Djukanovic described the moment as “one step closer to joining the most… Read more »

Montenegro: Gay pride event urges less violence, more rights

Podgorica, Montenegro – About 200 people have gathered at an LGBT pride event in Montenegro urging more rights and zero tolerance for violence against gay people in the conservative Balkan country. Participants held banners with sayings such as “Proud my son is gay” and “My daughter is lesbian” as they marched Saturday through the Montenegrin… Read more »

Dozens gather at gay pride in conservative Montenegro

Pogorica, Montenegro – Dozens of people have participated in a gay pride event in highly conservative Montenegro where authorities are promising to boost gay rights as part of efforts to join the European Union. Hundreds of policemen deployed Saturday in downtown Podgorica, the capital, to prevent possible attacks from extremists. Participants in the pride march… Read more »

Montenegro has banned Pride in this city for the THIRD time in a year

The Montenegrin city of Nikšic has had its Pride march banned for the third time this year. The Pride event was cancelled, and authorities cited security threats. Football hooligans and nationalists had threatened to disrupt the event, and the Orthodox Church had mobilised against it. Despite the security threats excuse for banning pride, others have… Read more »

Montenegro Gay Pride Parade Avoids Violence Of Last Year’s Event

Montenegro on Sunday held its first Gay Pride Parade without violence. According to Radio Free Europe, about 200 demonstrators marched the streets of Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, waving banners which read “Let’s Love Each Other” and “This is Just Beginning.” Two previous events, held last year in Podgorica and Budva, were marred by violence. In Podgorica,… Read more »

Montenegro’s second ever Pride to be held in secret

60 people were injured at last year’s event, the first ever LGBTI celebration in the country Montenegro’s second ever Pride will be held in secret over fears of attack. The location will be kept private until the day itself in an attempt to protect the marchers. It will be held somewhere in the capital on… Read more »

Facing life or death at home, gay activist seeks asylum in Vancouver

To Zdravko Cimbaljevic, the choice came down to being dead in Montenegro or alive in Canada. So the 30-year-old activist referred to as the first openly gay man in the southeastern European nation of about 680,000 people came to Canada last month and is seeking refugee status, driven out of Montenegro by what he describes… Read more »

Gay rights activists stage first Montenegro march

Podgorica (Reuters) – Montenegrins staged their first gay pride march on Sunday in the capital under heavy police guard, part of the Balkan state’s efforts to bolster its application to join the European Union by showing its commitment to human rights. After a tense but incident-free march by around 150 people, guarded by almost 2,000… Read more »

EC report criticises EU applicants Turkey, Kosovo and Serbia on LGBT rights

A European Commission report detailing the nature of LGBT rights in several countries looking to join the European Union has criticised Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey. The reports show that LGBT people continue to face discrimination, threats and violence throughout south-eastern European and Turkey. Widespread hate crime against LGBT people were noted in Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia,… Read more »

Montenegrin LGBTs to defy violence and hold second pride event this year

The LGBT community in the former Yugoslav republic of Montenegro has vowed to march again to test the authorities’ resolve to protect them after the country’s first LGBT pride march was violently attacked in July The LGBT community in Montenegro has pledged to march through the streets of the capital Podgorica after the country’s first… Read more »

Gay Montenegrins to hold second parade despite attacks

The Montenegrin capital will host a Gay Pride parade in late October in defiance of violent attacks on activists during the first such march this summer, organisers said Thursday. “Preparations are underway” to hold the march on October 20 in Podgorica, organiser Danijel Kalezic told AFP. Kalezic said the parade in Podgorica would be a… Read more »

Violence mars first gay parade in Montenegro

Budva, Montenegro (Reuters) – Police clashed with anti-gay protesters in Montenegro on Wednesday as they tried to disrupt the first gay pride parade to be held in the staunchly conservative Balkan country that is in talks to join the European Union. Around 200 demonstrators hurled stones, bottles and flares at policemen in the coastal town… Read more »

Opponents Disrupt First Ever Montenegro Gay Pride; Shout ‘Kill The Gays’

Montenegro’s first ever Gay Pride event was disrupted on Wednesday by opponents shouting “Kill the gays.” The several dozen activists taking part in the event in Budva shouted back “Kiss the gays,” the AP reported. Angy opponents clashed with police as activists briefly marched holding rainbow flags and then gathered to hear speeches. The gay… Read more »

Queer Montenegro: Wide support for the Pride Rally in Podgorica, Montenegro

Wide support for the Pride Rally in Podgorica, Montenegro Montenegrin LGBTIQ Association “Queer Montenegro” is satisfied with the widespread domestic, regional, and European support which followed the announcement yesterday that the Pride Rally will be held in Podgorica in October 2013. We are very pleased that a large number of the LGBTIQ people from Montenegro… Read more »

Montenegro: Juventas and Gay Portal

Juventas is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in January, 1996 in Podgorica, Montenegro. Juventas gathers high school and university students and other young people who wish to be a part of their environment’s social dynamics and thus influence their future. Homophobia in Montenegro In July 2010, Juventas conducted a research poll on homophobia among the… Read more »

Montenegrin delegation for the first time on LGBT EuroGames – Budapest

“EuroGames”, the largest European LGBT sport manifestation in which for the first time the Montenegrin delegation took part, took place in Budapest between the 27th of June and the 1st of July of 2012. This year’s EuroGames, which basically represent the European equivalent to the Olympic Games are officially supported by the International Olympic committee… Read more »

A Lesbian Story: One Simple, but not Simple Story

I have a name. I live in Montenegro. I am daughter, sister, aunt, friend, colleague. I have a wonderful family. Job. Value. Principles. Person you love and who loves me. Maybe I know. If not, here’s something about me. Family means a lot to me. I feel them as a support and safety. I admire… Read more »

Podgorica: LGBT flag set on fire in front of the Ombudsman

The flag was placed on the mast of the building where the office of the Ombudsman, was burned last night, said the LGBT Forum Progres. Officials of Institutions Ombudsman contacted the police, who immediately went to the scene. Unknown persons set fire to the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBT community. Forum notes that… Read more »

Preparations for the parade in Montenegro 2013

In June next year will be held in Podgorica pride parade, with the support of the Ombudsman and the relevant institutions. Deputy of human rights and freedoms of Marijana Lakovic will be representative of the institution in the organizing committee of the first Gay Pride Parade, scheduled to be held in June next year in… Read more »

Video: Pro-gay fly-posting campaign disturbed in Montenegro

An LGBT youth group in Montenegro has initiated a nocturnal campaign to put up pro-gay posters  around the capital city of Podgorica. Following the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the Montenegrin group Juventas printed pink posters with the slogan: “Every day is a day of fight against homophobia and transphobia. Live your life.” Montenegro… Read more »

Protestors march on Turkish embassy for IDAHO

Montenegro sees rally for LGBT rights as French Caribbean island holds first LGBT march Activists in Montenegro marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) by marching on the Turkish embassy in protest at the country’s treatment of LGBT people. Members from rights group, the LGBT Forum Progress, carried banners reading in English, Montenegrin… Read more »

Video: Two-step on LGBT rights in Montenegro

A Montenegrin actor who took part in a pro-LGBT video has received death threats. Todor Vujoševic received serious threats after starring in a video for LGBT rights in the small Balkan country. The video shows Vujoševic as one of the players in a spot where two boys kiss passionately while celebrating the success of their… Read more »

Conference “Justice in the Balkans: Equality for sexual minorities” held in Montenegro

A three-day conference “Justice in the Balkans: Equality for sexual minorities” was held in Podgorica. Prominent experts in this field discussed about rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender people in the region of South-Eastern Europe. This is considered one of conditions for the complete democratization in societies and necessary step in the process of… Read more »

Gay Montenegro News & Reports

1 Montenegro – Barbarians At the Gate 12/04 2 2007 Annual Report for Serbia and Montenegro 07 3 HIV/AIDS 08 4 Nudist Beaches In Montenegro 07/08 5 The Balkans: Human Rights and LGBT 12/08 6 Montenegro’s gay community stays hidden to survive 12/09 7 Montenegro Has Started Its First LGBT Organization 3/11 8 First-Ever Gay… Read more »