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 activists were pelted with rocks, bottles and insults from opponents.
Interior Minister Rasko Konjevic said several people were injured during the incident but none seriously.
Police said that they detained roughly 20 people. (Video from the event is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.)
Aleksandar Zekovic, who helped organize the rally, said: “Unfortunately, in 20 years of transition Montenegro has not matured enough to tolerate differences.”
The United States condemned the violence.
“The United States will continue to work with our partners in Montenegro to combat abuses against the LGBT community and to ensure that all people in Montenegro are treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation,” the U.S. embassy said in a written statement that also urged officials to “take appropriate measures” against those responsible.
Montenegro, a nation of 600,000 that sits on the Adriatic Sea, is looking to improve its human rights record as it seeks to join the European Union.
by On Top Magazine Staff
Source – On Top Magazine
