Travel News

Queer festival challenges Europe's least tolerant nations

Tuesday, 23rd September 2008

Written by Mark Collins

68% of Romanians describe homosexuality as a 'bad choice', a poll revealed.

But wait, it gets worse: 36% think gay people should be subjected to punishment, whether through fines or imprisonment.

Romania, which joined the EU in 2007 along with Bulgaria, only fully decriminalised homosexuality in 2001 and still bares outward signs of being a predominantly intolerant nation. A 2006 poll conducted by the EU discovered that only 11% of Romanians approved of same-sex marriage. Just across the border in neighbouring Serbia, the picture is much the same.

Serbia is not yet a member of the European Union, largely on account of its human rights record. Discrimination is widespread, affecting particularly the LGBT community as well as the disabled and the Roma. But on September 18, the Queer Beograd X5 kicks off in the capital of Belgrade, showing that LGBT Serbians are ready to challenge the ignorant attitudes of their fellow countrymen.

The festival will feature cabaret performers from across Europe as well as workshops, talks, seminars and, of course, parties. The festival has a troubled history with 2001's erupting into violence and 2004's cancelled at the last minute due to safety concerns.

For these reasons, the festival locations "will be kept private until later," says the Queer Beograd website.

For more details check out www.eng.queerbeograd.org.